More young people to benefit from charity support programme thanks to Lottery funding

A charity supporting young people at risk of homelessness has been given nearly £20,000 by The National Lottery Community Fund to boost their wellbeing.

Salisbury-based Alabaré will use the money to continue its programme of activities for 16 - 25 year olds supported by the charity in Wiltshire and Hampshire, which will help the young people build skills, support peer mentors and creating trusting relationships.

It will also help them on their journey to independent living, allowing them to engage with services and education, boost confidence and reduce mental health concerns, while giving them skills to find work.

Last year, the charity provided over 100 wellbeing sessions for young people, which included polo, sailing, street dance and climbing, as well as practical sessions in life skills, which culminated in a cultural visit to Gran Canaria.

88% of participating young people reporting their wellbeing had improved.

They say their emotional outlooks are better, they feel more resilient and are optimistic about the future.

"It's amazing to feel proud of yourself"

Ben is one young person being supported by Alabaré and earlier this year he joined a sailing trip in partnership with the Tall Ships Youth Trust.

In the year and a half he's been living in accommodation provided by the charity, he's began to rebuild his confidence after moving away from his family.

Speaking after the sailing trip in March, he said it was a "phenomenal" experience.

He said: "The people, the relationships built, the confidence boost you get. It’s really amazing to see everyone working together as one big team and watching, not just myself, but other people be the best they can be."

Ben said the trip presented challenges for him to overcome, which have led to personal growth.

“This is the first time I’ve been sailing," he said "The first day, it was petrifying; I was so anxious, but it’s been a pleasure to be with everyone. I’ve realised that everyone is going to be scared of something they’ve never done before, and at the end of it, it’s amazing to feel so proud of yourself for getting out there and doing it.”

Being the catalyst for young people "a privilege"

The charity aims to help young people build solid foundations for developing their wellbeing by connecting them to "blue and green spaces".

ALABARÉ’s Wellbeing Lead for Young People, Gemma Snell, delivers the sessions for young people and says they can learn new skills within nature, alongside others.

"Utilising these opportunities means they have chances to come out of their comfort zone, and when they stretch themselves, that’s when they discover what they’re really capable of and just how resilient they are," she said.

Gemma said it is a privilege to be the catalyst for a young person's journey, saying she takes a lot of pride in seeing how they develop as individuals.

"They start believing in themselves, there’s that belief that they are capable, they are lovable, and they’re worth more than they might think. I get so much joy from that."

She added that funding from The National Lottery Community Fund will mean more young people can benefit from their programme.

Paula Jenkins, Head of Young People Services at Alabaré, said: “The money from the National Lottery Community Fund helps ALABARÉ improve both the physical and emotional aspect young people’s wellbeing.

"We’ve seen how important these sessions are in giving young people a chance to learn new skills, create their own communities and open up to the support and enrichment that can hugely support their future growth and independence.

"It’s breaking the cycle of homelessness in action, and the difference the wellbeing programme makes, often in a short amount of time, means it’s a vital service to sit alongside our supported living accommodation and pastoral care.

“Many of the young people coming to ALABARÉ have had their confidence and outlook dented by their experiences. The wellbeing sessions prove to them that by embracing the chances given to them, they can only move onwards and upwards.”