ALABARÉ Scoops Top Prizes at the English Veterans Awards 2025
ALABARÉ is thrilled to share that the charity’s taken home a Gold and a Bronze from the prestigious ceremony.
ALABARÉ is thrilled to share that the charity’s taken home a Gold and a Bronze from the 2025 English Veterans Awards – with finalists in two further categories.
The awards were created to recognise commitment to those successfully moving from military to civilian life.
The charity is proud of its work alongside former military personnel to break the cycle of veteran homelessness.
Our Award-Winning Veterans’ Self-Build Scheme
The Veterans’ Self-Build scheme has been named as the winner of the Veteran Group of the Year section, honouring the incredible work being done to support former service personnel into new skills within the construction industry.
The programme, currently operating in Ludgershall in Wiltshire and in Plymouth, Devon, sees ALABARÉ working closely with developers and housing associations to help veterans with employment opportunities and qualifications.
It gives the participants access to a brighter future and into long-term, affordable accommodation that they’ve had a hand in building.
During his acceptance speech at the award ceremony at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park, ALABARÉ’s Head of Veteran Self-Build, Gary Chapman, said:
“Veterans don’t always transition into civilian life easily, and some do struggle. For us, with a team of three people in ALABARÉ’s Veteran Self-Build scheme, to encourage these veterans to work with us, train with us and within 12 months, go from sleeping in a hedgerow to living in a house and working, it’s what they deserve.
“We’re taken aback by winning this award. We are truly humbled by this result. Thank you very much.”
ALABARÉ would like to thank organisations such as the Veterans’ Foundation and the Scott (Eredine) Charitable Trust for their support of our services to help break the cycle of veterans’ homelessness.
Volunteer Captures Judges Hearts
The bronze award in the Volunteer of the Year category went to ALABARÉ volunteer Phil Rood.
He’s been recognised for his efforts with the Boots on the Ground well-being programme, giving up an average of 30 hours a month to support activities and the veterans taking part.
Over the last year, Phil has helped to maintain the Community Gardens in Salisbury’s Cathedral Close, worked on sessions at Badgers Camp in Old Sarum, and assisted with visit to the Forge in Dorset, so veterans can gain new experiences in blacksmithing skills.
Phil also played a critical role in our heritage restoration projects in Malta and Gibraltar, acting as a coordinator alongside other colleagues, as well as photographing and documenting the project for ALABARÉ’s social media channels.
Without the commitment of Phil and other volunteers like him, some of the Boots on the Ground activities wouldn’t be able to operate.
Head of Veterans, England, for ALABARÉ, Sarah Ferguson said:
“We are so proud of the Veteran Self-Build team on their gold award and congratulate Phil on his bronze certificate too. The awards have been a fantastic way to recognise some of the wonderful work going on across England to support veterans into positive futures following their military service.
“It’s an honour for ALABARÉ’s efforts in this area to have been nominated in four categories overall, and this will only spur us on to continue with this vital work, helping individuals at a crisis point and breaking the cycle of homelessness.
“Our congratulations also go out to the other winners and the organisers for a successful night.”
Pride for our Finalists
ALABARÉ was named as a finalist in two other categories at the English Veterans Awards, and we’re pleased to see Karen Langley, Boots on the Ground Manager, shortlisted for the Role Model of the Year award.
Boots on the Ground as a whole was made a finalist in the Health and Wellbeing Category.
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