Alabaré give thanks to volunteers with Tea Party

Salisbury-based charity Alabaré is celebrating its army of volunteers this week, including bringing them together for a special tea party to express its gratitude for their support and hard work.

The charity has nearly 200 people giving up their time and expertise to support clients, including veterans and young people experiencing homelessness, living with a learning disability and through their mental health services. 

Volunteers also contribute to the day-to-day working of Alabaré, at their Riverside House head office, in administrative and fundraising roles.

Throughout 2024, volunteers provided a total of 21,000 hours of support, ensuring the charity can invest more than £800,000 in supporting people in need through a range of innovative wellbeing and training programmes. 

Volunteers are giving an average of seven hours every week, with some even offering their services on a full-time basis! 

The celebratory tea party was held during Volunteers Week (2nd – 8th June 2025) as a way for the charity to pay tribute to those who offer so much to the cause. 

A number of those working with Alabaré have been treated to refreshments, providing an opportunity to meet each other, share experiences, and learn more about the charity’s work. 

Those attending included Mandy Greenwood, who has been volunteering with Alabaré since 2021. 

She carries out gardening at the charity’s supported living centre for homeless people, Alabaré Place on Barnard Street. 

That helps to brighten up the landscape and provide safe, outdoor spaces for residents to enjoy, which boosts residents’ self-esteem and provides a convivial space to meet others. 

Robert Nicholls has been supporting Alabaré for five years – he helps the charity’s retail stores with computer skills, till points and PAT testing of equipment, to keep them running smoothly and enabling the team at Wilton Emporium to sell sought-after electrical items.  

Andy Powlesland is a veteran who has been working with the Boots on the Ground programme for three years, which supports veterans across the service who may be struggling with their health and mental well-being. 

That service provides ex-service personnel with an opportunity to develop resilience, self-esteem, skills, and confidence for a life after the military. 

Steven also joined the tea party – he’s a resident of one of the charity’s supported living homes. He now gives back to the service that helped him, by sprucing up the garden at another of Salisbury’s Alabaré homes. 

Gill Turner-Callis, Alabaré’s Senior Chaplain, said: “Our volunteers are more than just helpers, they are colleagues, listeners, builders of community, and beacons of hope.

“Our volunteer ambassadors, chaplains, gardeners, peer support workers, administration assistants, fundraisers, and shop workers each bring something unique, but they share a common purpose: to serve others with compassion and respect. Their impact is felt in every smile, every shared story, and every small act of kindness.” 

Alabaré is keen to build their volunteering cohort even further, with opportunities for any skill set and hours to suit individuals’ needs. 

With over 70 homes, the charity would welcome extra pairs of hands across all their sites, including in Salisbury, Wilton, Amesbury, Barford St Martin, Andover, Devizes and those further afield. 

For more information and to sign up, visit https://alabare.co.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteer/ or call 01722 344470.