Homelessness charity to sign open letter for improved veterans care
Help for Heroes is sending an open letter asking for a "generational shift" in support for those leaving the military
A Salisbury-based charity helping veterans facing homelessness says it will sign an open letter calling for greater support for those leaving the military.
Alabaré says it will join neighbouring charity, Help for Heroes, which is based seven miles away in Downton, in calling for Government to stand by the promise it makes in the Armed Forces Covenant. This is a pledge that no service man or woman will be disadvantaged as a result of their service.
Help for Heroes has invited us to sign the letter, which will be delivered to Downing Street in September.
"The needs of veterans in our society is a really, really important cause and of course Help for Heroes have made great strides in supporting veterans," said Alabaré CEO, Andrew Lord. He added that "more effort, more dedication and more time" is needed for veterans in most need within society.
"We'll add our name to the letter and we stand by to support Help for Heroes and other charities in supporting veterans in order to continue the work," Andrew said.
He told us that many of the veterans he's spoken to in Alabaré's supported housing for veterans have achieved some "absolutely remarkable things" during their service. But he said it is up to us as a whole society to stand with them them and ensure they're fully supported once they leave the Armed Forces.
In a bid to offer more veterans support and safety, Alabaré has opened a new supported housing accommodation in Salisbury and plans to open another before the end of this year.
The charity is urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to follow through on his pledge to build more council homes and end rough sleeping to allow veterans to return to independent living.