For veterans facing homelessness, financial hardship, poor health or other challenges, having the right support at the right time can make a life-changing difference. With funding from Greenwich Hospital, ALABARÉ helps Royal Navy and Royal Marines veterans find safe accommodation and access the tailored support they need to work towards greater stability and independence.
To date, ALABARÉ has supported 133 veterans, including 20 Royal Navy and Royal Marines veterans. The impact is clear: nine of those 20 veterans have already moved into secure housing.
Behind these figures are individuals whose lives have been transformed through practical, personalised support.
Alan's journey from uncertainty to a secure future
Alan served in the Royal Marines from 1981 to 1990 before leaving the Armed Forces at the end of his service. For many years, he worked as a lorry driver and lived independently with his wife.
However, a series of difficult and unexpected life events left Alan facing increasing hardship and uncertainty.
Following a fire at the family home, Alan and his wife were forced to leave their property and move in with his mother. Their relationship later broke down, resulting in their separation. Around the same time, Alan experienced the loss of his father, while his mother was diagnosed with leukaemia.
These events significantly affected Alan's mental wellbeing. He experienced depression and became increasingly concerned about his future, particularly as his mother worried about how he would manage independently if her health deteriorated.
In February 2022, Alan's circumstances became even more challenging when a serious lorry accident forced him to give up his career. Unable to return to work, he was also managing several long-term health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and claudication. These conditions significantly affected his mobility and increased his risk of falls.
Recognising his vulnerability, Op FORTITUDE referred Alan to ALABARÉ Homes for Veterans. Following an assessment, he moved into Hampshire Homes for Veterans in Gosport on 22 April 2025.
Practical support when it mattered most
When Alan arrived, he was receiving Universal Credit and was required to attend regular Jobcentre appointments and obtain monthly fit notes from his GP.
ALABARÉ'S caseworkers provided intensive, person-centred support and helped Alan complete a Work Capability Assessment. As a result, he was no longer required to attend the Jobcentre and became entitled to the appropriate level of financial support, reducing both stress and financial insecurity.
Alan's health also meant that he needed ongoing practical assistance. Staff accompanied him to medical appointments, supported him with weekly shopping, helped him register with a local GP and coordinated referrals to physiotherapy, Adult Social Care, Citizens Advice and The Poppy Factory.
Staff also supported him to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and signposted him to Meals on Wheels, helping him better manage his health and nutrition.
When Alan suffered a fall on the stairs at his accommodation, staff responded immediately, supporting him to attend a walk-in medical centre. He was subsequently moved to a ground-floor room that better suited his mobility needs.
As his health continued to decline, ALABARÉ advocated on his behalf with Adult Social Care, helping him secure a Care Needs Assessment and access accommodation better suited to his long-term requirements.
Support beyond accommodation
Alan's challenges were not limited to housing and health. Following his accident, he received an unexpected tax demand relating to a period when he had been unable to notify HM Revenue & Customs of changes to his circumstances.
For Alan, navigating the situation alone would have been overwhelming. ALABARÉ'S staff supported him in accessing Citizens Advice, helped him prepare an appeal, arranged appointments, and accompanied him throughout the process.
The team also recognised the importance of tackling social isolation and rebuilding Alan's confidence. Alongside practical support, he was encouraged to take part in activities within the service and supported to enjoy trips into the local community, including visits for breakfast, coffee and local museums. These opportunities helped Alan reconnect with others, improve his wellbeing and regain confidence.
A more settled future
Through coordinated support and effective partnership working, Alan has now successfully moved into Admiral Jellicoe House, where his care needs can be fully met in an environment designed to support his health and independence.
He now takes part in daily activities, enjoys regular visits from his mother and brother, and has the reassurance of living somewhere that meets his long-term needs.
Alan's journey demonstrates the difference that specialist veteran support and personalised case management can make. It also highlights the importance of strong partnerships between organisations and services when veterans are facing complex health, housing and social challenges.
For Alan, the future now feels much more settled.
Helping veterans build a secure future
ALABARÉ'S caseworkers support veterans to overcome a wide range of barriers, from managing finances and maintaining a tenancy to improving mental health and wellbeing, finding employment and developing the confidence and skills needed to live independently.
Alan's progress, and that of others, shows that with the right accommodation, practical assistance and sustained personal support, veterans facing difficult circumstances can move towards stability and a more secure future.
Funding from Greenwich Hospital contributes to Alabaré's work helping Royal Navy and Royal Marines veterans move towards secure, independent living, giving those who have served the opportunity to build a safer and more sustainable future.
