Heritage That Heals – Malta 2026: Meet The Team
Ten previously homeless veterans, supported by ALABARÉ, are gearing up to help restore historic military sites in Malta while rebuilding their own wellbeing, confidence, and sense of purpose.
Ahead of a two-week Heritage That Heals trip to Malta for 10 previously homeless veterans, supported by ALABARÉ, let’s meet the team travelling to help restore historic military sites on the island.
Steve Lovelock (pictured) – Steve joined the Royal Engineers at the age of 17 and, after leaving the forces, worked in the railway industry, but became addicted to drink and drugs. He became homeless after falling victim to cuckooing by drug dealers at his property, coming to ALABARÉ in April 2022.
He says his experience within the charity has been challenging but rewarding – he’s greatly reduced his alcohol consumption and is clean from drug taking.
Steve says ALABARÉ has built his confidence to go out the door and reach out, and that he can see not only how much he has grown, but also how others grow with him. He says: “It’s about all veterans being able to rebuild, knowing that they can be trusted.”
Steve moved into independent living in December 2025 but continues to engage in activities and serves as a mentor to other veterans.
Alex Kelley (pictured) – Alex served with the Army’s Royal Corps of Signals from 2004 to 2006. He was medically discharged due to his mental health. He turned to ALABARÉ’s Homes for Veterans in Gosport for help in May 2024 after being served with a Section 21 no-fault eviction notice by his landlord.
Since being part of ALABARÉ services, Alex’s self-confidence and emotional wellbeing have significantly improved, and helped him reignite his passion for local and military history. He says taking part in projects such as Malta will be a way of engaging in history that feels ‘personal and powerful’.
Charlie Dain – Charlie came to ALABARÉ in June 2025 after being referred by the Local Authority Homelessness Prevention Team. He had been medically discharged from the Army due to mental health issues and had no onward accommodation.
Charlie has been supported into long-term health support and engaged really well, to help boost his self-confidence and make positive progress.
He enjoys getting out of the house each day, building skills and self-esteem to eventually return to work, while maintaining regular contact with his children and supporting his ex-partner with childcare.
Charlie has been volunteering at a local boxing club, coaching children, which he says has given him a renewed sense of purpose.
Susan Bradley (pictured) – Sue served in the Royal Army Medical Corps and was married to a serving soldier. She came to ALABARÉ in April 2024, following a breakdown in a relationship during the COVID lockdown, losing working income and building up debts to raise her three children.
This led to her giving up her tenancy, and while the children were offered accommodation by friends and family, Sue was left homeless, living in her car or sofa surfing with friends.
She says ALABARÉ’s Boots on the Ground activities mean she has gained a newfound confidence, has a ‘spring in her step’ to start a new life chapter, where she can have fun and be herself without judgment. She is working towards a permanent residency in Salisbury.
Nicholas Cogbill – Nick has been with ALABARÉ since early 2026, having previously served in all three military services, the Royal Navy, RAF, and Army, in that order.
Since moving into the North Wales Homes for Veterans service he has been engaging will with support workers and other agencies and has been keen to help out around the house with maintenance and cleaning.
Jimmy Flurey (pictured) – Jimmy had a 12-year career in the Royal Navy, with an operational tour in Afghanistan.
He became a chef following his service, but was furloughed during the COVID pandemic, which meant he wasn’t able to keep up with rent payments and lost his home.
He found temporary accommodation in Devon/Somerset, and was offered work during this time, but the wages would not cover the rent.
He then found shared private rented accommodation and secured a job as a chef, but had personality clashes with fellow residents and experienced depression, self-medicating with alcohol.
After a period of sofa surfing and sleeping on the streets, he referred himself to ALABARÉ in Salisbury just before Christmas 2025.
John Bendall – John was in the Army, serving in the Rifles Regiment and has been with ALABARÉ since December 2025. He began living in the Cardiff Homes for Veterans but later transferred to ALABARÉ services in Plymouth.
He has settled into the home and is building his confidence and social interactions with other veterans. John has been actively participating in Boots on the Ground wellbeing activities and has become well known in the group for his good humour and support of others.
John is also a qualified scaffolder and is working towards his return to employment.
Samuel Grattan (pictured) – Sam served in the Army’s Royal Pioneer Corps and came to ALABARÉ in October 2025 after living in a busy HMO in Southsea and struggling with his mental health.
He had gradually built up his engagement with ALABARÉ services in the Gosport Homes for Veterans and is now thriving, helping others within the property and working towards a positive future.
Sam keeps in regular contact with his family and has enrolled in an online college course with the aim of returning to his former profession of healthcare support in the future.
He’s also actively reduced his drinking in order to fully participate in services and maintain good mental health.
Matthew Onions (pictured) – Matthew served over 22 years in the Army’s Royal Artillery, including time in Germany and reaching the rank of Sergeant.
He had been living as a lodger, but was asked to leave due to the homeowner’s declining health, leaving Matthew with no accommodation and living on the streets, selling personal belongings to buy food.
He came to ALABARÉ in September 2025, moving into the Cardiff Home for Veterans, where he’s engaged with support services and actively participated in wellbeing sessions as well as volunteering with a local charity as a way of giving back.
Matthew says he’s looking forward to going to Malta, as he feels it’s a great way of supporting others. He says he feels better when he volunteers.
Support the team going to Malta HERELATEST NEWS
Here, you can find all the latest news stories from across our homeless charity dedicated to the needs of homeless adults, young people, veterans and those with learning disabilities.
