ALABARÉ Receives National Lottery Community Fund Grant to Boost Young People’s Wellbeing
We've been awarded nearly £20,000 to support the wellbeing of young people at risk of homelessness.
ALABARÉ has been awarded nearly £20,000 by The National Lottery Community Fund to support our Young People’s Wellbeing sessions for those at risk of homelessness.
The money will go towards continuing the successful programme of wellbeing activities delivered to 16- to 25-year-olds that we support in Wiltshire and Hampshire.
The funding will help young people build skills, support peer mentors, and develop trusted relationships, as well as help them to engage with services and education, boost their self-confidence, reduce mental health concerns, strengthen employability, and support their journey towards moving into safe, independent living.
We’ve provided more than 100 Young People Wellbeing sessions for young people last year, such as bushcraft, polo, sailing, paintballing, beatboxing, street dance, and climbing.
There have also been practical sessions to build life skills, such as bike maintenance, cooking, and language skills, culminating in a cultural visit to Gran Canaria.
88% of young people who have been part of the wellbeing programme have reported improved emotional outlooks, increased resilience, and greater optimism.
Ben’s story
Ben has been supported by ALABARÉ in our Sarum House accommodation in Andover for the last year and a half.
He’s thrived with the support he’s been offered, helping to build his confidence after stepping away from his family.
Reflecting on a Young People’s Wellbeing sailing trip with the Tall Ships Youth Trust in March, Ben said:
“It’s been absolutely phenomenal, the people, the relationships built, the confidence boost you get. It’s really amazing to see everyone working together as one big team and watching, not just myself, but other people be the best they can be.
“This is the first time I’ve been sailing. The first day, it was petrifying; I was so anxious, but it’s been a pleasure to be with everyone. I’ve realised that everyone is going to be scared of something they’ve never done before, and at the end of it, it’s amazing to feel so proud of yourself for getting out there and doing it.”
Leading from the front
Gemma Snell is ALABARÉ’s Young People’s Wellbeing Lead, and delivers the sessions that clients are benefitting from.
She’s explained what’s so special about her role:
“My job is to work with our young people across ALABARÉ, developing their wellbeing and primarily we do that by connecting them to blue and green spaces, so within nature, with other people, learning new skills. Utilising these opportunities means they have chances to come out of their comfort zone, and when they stretch themselves, that’s when they discover what they’re really capable of and just how resilient they are.
“I think it’s a privilege to be the catalyst in a young person’s journey and seeing how much they can develop as an individual. They start believing in themselves, there’s that belief that they are capable, they are lovable, and they’re worth more than they might think. I get so much joy from that.
“[Support from The National Lottery Community Fund] means we’ll be able to carry on the work we’re doing for young people, developing their wellbeing and mental health. That’s what they’re going to need to be able to go on to the next stage and live independent and fulfilling lives.”
Paula Jenkins, Head of Young People Services at ALABARÉ, said:
“The money from the National Lottery Community Fund helps us improve both the physical and emotional aspect young people’s wellbeing.
“We’ve seen how important these sessions are in giving young people a chance to learn new skills, create their own communities and open up to the support and enrichment that can hugely support their future growth and independence. It’s breaking the cycle of homelessness in action, and the difference the wellbeing programme makes, often in a short amount of time, means it’s a vital service to sit alongside our supported living accommodation and pastoral care.
“Many of the young people coming to ALABARÉ have had their confidence and outlook dented by their experiences. The wellbeing sessions prove to them that by embracing the chances given to them, they can only move onwards and upwards.”
Young People’s Wellbeing Services are also delivered thanks to the generous support of funders including the Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation and the Nick Jenkins Foundation.
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