A SALISBURY homelessness charity has welcomed three new trustees to its board.

Victoria Hamilton, Debbie Pearce, and John Glen MP have all accepted voluntary roles within ALABARÉ’s governing team.

The appointments have been announced during national Trustees’ Week (November 3 to 7), which honours the work of nearly one million trustees supporting charities across the UK.

Andrew Lord, ALABARÉ’s chief executive, said: “Our trustees play a vital role in ensuring we provide the best possible support to individuals who are vulnerable or experiencing homelessness. Debbie, Victoria and John join us at a time when homelessness in the UK is at record levels.

“Debbie and Victoria’s careers in the NHS and John’s in Parliament have provided them with a unique insight into the challenges society is facing and what can be done to effect real change and ultimately ensure we break the cycle of homelessness for good.”

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Victoria Hamilton has held senior roles in the NHS, including at Wiltshire Health and Care and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Her background in estates, community and mental health fits well with ALABARÉ’s services and ethos in supporting society’s most vulnerable people.

Victoria said: “The south west faces the third highest number of people experiencing homelessness in the UK, after London and the south east.

“Last year alone, the charity supported over 3,200 people who are experiencing homelessness or facing mental health challenges. ALABARÉ continues to support a growing number of people, and the challenging economic climate means the charity needs support more than ever.

“I am looking forward to sharing my insight and experience at a time of real need.”

Debbie Pearce also has an NHS background spanning 35 years. As a registered member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, her attention will be focused on how the charity approaches its financial planning and budgetary control.

She said: “I am thrilled to be appointed to my first trustee role for ALABARÉ, to help support the charity in striving to make the biggest difference to those most vulnerable in society.

“I hope I can lend my skills and expertise in finance and the commissioning of services to the strategy, governance and oversight of the charity.”

John Glen MP has been the Conservative representative for the Salisbury and South Wiltshire constituency since 2010.

He served in the Government’s cabinet as chief secretary to the treasury and paymaster general under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and is currently the Parliamentary private secretary to the leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch.

Glen has a long history of supporting ALABARÉ, having visited several of the charity’s services and taking part in around 15 sleepouts at Salisbury Cathedral, raising money for the homelessness drop-in centres.

He said: “I am delighted to join the board of ALABARÉ. I see the role of an MP as being one of service – to the constituents, to the community, and to the country.

“Charities play a rich and vital role in our society. and the work of ALABARÉ rightly commands great respect. When I was asked to serve, I could not fail to step up.”

The new appointments take the number of trustees on ALABARÉ’s board to a total of 15, each with varying backgrounds and skillsets.

Collectively, the trustees give up more than 1,500 hours of their time each year to support the charity’s governance and management.

A quarter of the board are female, 20% have previously served in the military, with others working in the NHS, law, business, and the Church of England.