Veterans self build - Please read Ladies & gents especially those who know me - I served 17 yrs in the army and 26 in police - thought I’d retired & was going to ride motorbikes & play golf. Well I went to give something back & work for a charity (Alabare) doing veterans self build - this is a program where we take veterans (or service leavers) who’ve housing issues. 1st 6 months We put them through loads of trades on building site- 2nd 6 months they choose a trade they like & work with that trade as we put them through as many qualifications as we can to give them the tools to succeed - they then after a year (approx) move into a house on the build & hopefully a job with the company they’re working with. For the following 6 months I will still be their welfare officer giving support, providing training. The project is being run in a few areas my build is Ludgershall near Andover. My build is a 5 year build with 3 vets a year - my 1 at cohort are about to finish. We work closely with Lovells and Stonewater housing who are really supportive & appreciate the value of the program. My current 3 vets 1# Ex RAF 7 years after a marriage breakdown ended up living in a van for a yr Now going into groundwork’s has numerous plant machinery qualifications & has been offered work 2# Ex PWRR & RA total 6 yrs service again a marriage breakdown was living in the woods, now a fully qualified carpet fitter & trained in Luxury vinyl tiling has been offered work 3# Ex Green Gds has his scaffold COTS ticket, doing scaffold course in Aug also has had job offers but waiting to complete his quals. The greatest reward is the change in the individuals. We have had companies be really supportive offering training, they see the benefits in the program - this is supporting our veterans in their time of need & getting them into the flow of civilian life - my boss Ken Hanes (Maj ret’d Ex 22) and the team are passionate about the program and making the route to success as easy as possible for the vets. There is a fiscal benefit in every pound spent the tax payer reaps about £16 back. The program gets vets off UC keeps them out of prison or going into a life of crime, suicide prevention etc this gives them worth and self esteem. I am looking for companies and individuals who would support the program and donate. I will post a just giving page or PM me Thank you very much for reading this - I will soon be looking for support for our vets I will keep everyone up dated - I will also update people with the progress of the Vets Frank Nelson