Alabaré Celebrates Milestone Supporting Homeless Veterans in Plymouth
We've now supported more than 150 homeless veterans in Plymouth, so we invited local dignitaries to mark the achievement.
Alabaré have marked an incredible achievement in supporting homeless veterans in Plymouth.
Since opening in 2009, its Home for Veterans at Pentyre Terrace has helped 150 individuals break the cycle of homelessness.
The Plymouth home was the first to be established by Alabaré to provide supported living accommodation for former service personnel at a crisis point.
By providing homes, restoring hearts, and empowering minds, the charity is helping veterans with the practical and holistic support they need to overcome challenges, regain stability and confidence, and lead fulfilling, independent lives.
Alabaré now has several Homes for Veterans in locations across the South West of England and Wales.
As we celebrate 35 years of service, more than 15 of which have been spent supporting the community in Plymouth, Alabaré is also seeing an increase in demand for support for veterans experiencing homelessness.
During 2024/25, there were more than 350 referrals from former military personnel to Alabaré, representing a 122% rise compared to the year before.
158 veterans have been supported in that time, with a third of those (55) able to move into independent living after gaining support in areas such as physical and mental health, financial wellbeing, and employability skills.
To honour the milestone of support offered, Alabaré invited local dignitaries, corporate partners, and generous benefactors to find out more about the charity’s work.
Guests included the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Rear Admiral Chris Snow CBE DL; the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr Kathy Watkin; naval staff from HMS Drake; MP for Plymouth Moor View, Fred Thomas; MP for South West Devon, Rebecca Smith; and representatives from businesses such as Plymouth CityBus, Babcock Devonport, and Visiting Angels.
They heard from Alabaré colleagues, volunteers, and both current and former residents about the life-changing difference the Homes for Veterans service continues to make.
Chairman Designate of Alabaré, Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory KBE CB DL, said:
“It was a great pleasure to welcome so many guests to our Plymouth Home for Veterans and spread the message of the charity’s efforts to break the cycle of homelessness for former military personnel.
“Our homes across the South West and Wales are doing incredible work, and we’re proud of those colleagues and residents working together on a journey of change and independence, but the demand for our services is growing.
“We’re looking to expand our services for homeless veterans in Plymouth in the future, and the community’s support is vital to helping us achieve that goal.”
Alabaré is grateful to those in attendance and joining us for an important moment of reflection and an ongoing commitment to the veteran community.
Fred Thomas MP said: “I think the bond between society and the country, and those who’ve served, should be absolutely unbreakable. The cycle of homelessness that some veterans can fall into for a huge variety of reasons needs to be ended, and I think that Alabaré does that really effectively on the ground.
“That’s why I’m delighted to be here in Plymouth, with this considered the frontline of doing that and making sure that veterans don’t have to sleep rough.”
Cllr Kathy Watkin, Lord Mayor of Plymouth, was also in attendance and said:
“There are a lot of veterans in Plymouth and there are a lot of people in need, who really should know more about what Alabaré’s doing.
“I think it’s absolutely wonderful what they’re doing for homeless veterans in Plymouth, and I think it’s also incredibly important that some have been able to bring their pets along too, which might encourage more people to access help. I’m keen to support the veterans of Plymouth and support the organisation.”
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