A CHARITY in Salisbury is helping former soldiers rebuild their lives and says its work is quite literally saving lives.

ALABARÉ has received a £30,000 boost from the Veterans’ Foundation to expand its Boots on the Ground wellbeing programme, supporting veterans who have experienced homelessness.

The scheme offers hands-on outdoor activities. from canoeing and bushcraft to gardening and horsemanship, giving participants structure, purpose and a sense of community.

Sessions take place across Wiltshire and beyond, with many veterans living in supported accommodation through the charity.

For Steve, who spent decades battling addiction after leaving the Army, the programme has been life-changing.

“I found it difficult in civilian life; the Army was the only family I’d had. I joined a bike club and saw some horrible things, but I felt like part of another family,” he said.

“I got dragged deeper and deeper into it, and along with that, the drugs started. It began with speed and became more hardcore with crack cocaine and heroin. I was taking drugs for the best part of 40 years.”

He joined ALABARÉ in 2022, describing it as “a voice from the light into the dark – a hand reached out and pulled me out of there”.

Now approaching 65, Steve says the support has transformed his life.

He added: “I’ve come off the methadone tablets I was on and have been off for over six months now. It was ALABARÉ that did it, and I love them for it. My anger’s gone, and I can honestly say I’m a happy man now.

“ALABARÉ has given me another chance at life. They saved my life. Without them, I’d be dead now, either by my own hand or somebody else’s, because that’s the sort of life I lived.”

Horsing around! (Picture: ALABARÉ)

The charity delivers more than 200 sessions a year, with nearly 90% of participants reporting improved emotional wellbeing.

ALABARÉ head of veterans’ services Gary Chapman said: “Boots on the Ground makes a massive difference to the lives of our veterans and helps to break the cycle of homelessness by giving them new skills, confidence, and positivity.

“Our thanks go out to the Veterans’ Foundation for their support of wellbeing sessions to help former military personnel overcome some of the mental and physical challenges they’ve faced following their service and help them navigate towards independence.”