Veterans facing homelessness self-build new homes

A group of veterans at risk of homelessness have moved into homes they helped to build just in time for Christmas.

Four veterans have spent the past year on the development in Ludgershall, Wiltshire, and have learnt trades that have led to new jobs.

Ian Bayliss, 35, an ex-serviceman, ended up sofa surfing after a marriage breakdown and said that without the project, run by charity Alabaré, he does not know where he would be.

"The scheme has been a lifesaver, it should be nationwide, it's amazing," he said.

Mr Bayliss was in the Royal Artillery for nine years before being medically discharged in 2018.

Four years later, his marriage broke down, which left him effectively homeless.

"My life just fell apart after the army," he said.

"It still feels weird, I have my own place again. I've not had anything since 2022.

"It's daunting, scary, but really a dream come true, not to sound too corny."

Over the last year, Mr Bayliss has been trying out different jobs and has settled on working for an agency as a truck driver.

"It's been a long and difficult process, working for a year without being paid, but the end results have been absolutely fantastic," he added.

Alabaré's Veterans Self-Build Scheme runs across Wiltshire, Plymouth and Herefordshire, and the charity partnered with Lovell Homes at the Drummond Park development. It has previously helped 50 former military personnel.

Alabaré's head of veterans services, Gary Chapman, said: "As a veteran myself, I can see that these guys didn't transition correctly into civilian life.

"For whatever reason, they ended up in the worst place they could be.

"One of the cohort that's graduated was living in his car, and moved into one of our homeless houses, and twelve months later, he's qualified as a trades person, he's just moved into his new flat, he's got the pick of the jobs, and he can see a future.

"For him, this is life-changing."

Frank Nelson, project manager for the Ludgershall self-build site, said: "It's a really proud day, a lot of work goes into it, and they're changed people from where they started.

"Three of the four have moved into their new homes here, and the fourth is moving into work and going his own way in Salisbury. I'm really proud to watch how they've developed."

He added that by providing training to participants, the scheme aims to stop the cycle of homelessness.

"They've all gained national qualifications – one's a trained scaffolder, one's a qualified landscaper, one's got his HGV1 and CPC licences, so he's going into driving, and the last one's a fully trained pest controller," he said.

"They'll all walk into work in January, and it's great for them and their futures."

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