Welsh Agencies Pledge Closer Collaboration to Support Homeless Veterans
ALABARÉ has brought together more than 20 organisations across Wales to discuss the support needed for homeless veterans in the Principality.
ALABARÉ has brought together more than 20 organisations across Wales to discuss the support needed for homeless veterans in the Principality.
A webinar has been held following the publication of a scoping report, commissioned and funded by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, to assess the state of veterans’ homelessness in Wales and make recommendations for improved services.
ALABARÉ led the discussion as the largest provider of veteran-specific temporary supported living accommodation throughout Wales, with bases in Swansea, Cardiff, Pontypridd and Conwy.
It also follows newly released figures from the Welsh Government, which show rough sleeping in Wales has risen by 23% in the last year.
The statistics also reveal over 7,600 households in Wales are at risk of homelessness, which will include veterans and their families.
What did the webinar cover?
The webinar highlighted the need for collaboration across services, with the report acting as an evidence-based foundation to inform understanding and future decision-making to better support veterans.
Contributors spoke about homelessness as being a ‘complete human crisis’ that isn’t simply about housing but also encompasses health and wellbeing.
This is mirrored in ALABARÉ’s approach to support for veterans, in breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing homes, restoring hearts, and empowering minds.
It also aligns with the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government’s published commitments relating to homelessness and the armed forces – to embed a Housing First, trauma-informed and person-centred approach to tackling homelessness, and to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and ensure fair access to housing, healthcare, education and employment.
Partner agencies also recognised the need for improved systems to more accurately report cases, referrals and outcomes, which can be shared across organisations to prevent repetition and increased trauma for clients.
Who took part in the webinar?
Speakers during the session included representatives from ALABARÉ and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, covering the report findings and how the rollout of the Government’s VALOUR programme could help to bridge some of the gaps in support.
Contributors also included Arclett, an organisation working to normalise the choice to avoid alcohol and alcohol-free, encouraging the use of more inclusive language that focuses on prevention rather than treatment.
TGP Cymru, who provide whole family intervention, spoke about facilitating sessions to resolve conflict and boost communication, giving homeless veterans who have faced relationship breakdown improved access to their children.
The VC Gallery, which operates a VALOUR-recognised centre in Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest, highlighted the importance of wellbeing activities such as walking, seated exercise, breakfast and lunch clubs, crafting, and photography to spark conversation, inclusivity and camaraderie.
What happens next?
The partners who have been instrumental in the creation of the scoping report all reflected on the key to delivering best practice being collaboration and having the ‘right person doing the right job’.
However, they have warned that more agencies are needed to come together and bolster the support available, ensuring sustainability and greater flexibility.
Simon Frith, Principal Lead for Partnerships at ALABARÉ, said:
“We were really pleased to welcome so many organisations spanning Wales to the webinar and equally delighted to share some best practice of how veterans experiencing homelessness can be supported towards greater stability, positive outcomes, restored connections and independence.
“A quote from the report itself suggests that services for homeless veterans in Wales are ‘unified by shared outcomes for veterans, creating an atmosphere where sharing knowledge and working together feels natural and productive’. At ALABARÉ, we’d be keen for this to continue and expand; but issues such as the rurality of Wales, the need for diversity in provision and a necessity for an increased stock of move-on accommodation have to be taken into consideration.
“This isn’t the start of the conversation, but it needs to be an ongoing process. We’re calling for improved collaboration and data sharing in this field across Wales, to ensure veterans at risk of homelessness get the support they need and deserve following their military service for the country.”
Gallwch ddarllen mwy am yr adroddiad cwmpsau, yn Gymrag, drwy glicio yma.
Read The State of Veterans' Homelessness in Wales 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.
