Amesbury mayor praises 'compassionate ethos' of local services
The Mayor of Amesbury has praised two local services for their "compassionate ethos."
Councillor Dr Monica Devendran visited Alabaré's Veteran Self-Build programme and learning disabilities homes on Thursday, June 12.
The charitable organisation, which supports vulnerable, homeless and marginalised people, said the mayor had been "seeing the difference" the services make to the lives of those who use them.
The self-build project in Drummond Park, Ludgershall, helps formerly homeless ex-service personnel learn the skills to build homes that will eventually be available to them for independent living.
The veterans also gain skills and the confidence to work in the construction industry.
Read more
Charity CEO inspired by son's rare kidney condition to help others awarded MBE
Livestream of kestrel chicks launched by Hampshire charity
'Beacons of hope': Charity celebrates its dedicated volunteers with tea party
Mayor of Amesbury Cllr Dr Monica Devendran (right) visiting Alabaré's Veteran Self-Build programme in Ludgershall, alongside Helen Inglis from Alabaré (left). (Image: Alabaré) The Amesbury mayor also visited a nearby home that supports residents with learning disabilities. She spent time speaking to both residents and staff about their efforts to support residents to live as independently as possible.
Councillor Devendran said the visits were "moving and uplifting, showcasing the compassionate ethos at the heart of Alabaré's work."
She said: "When we invest in people and believe in their potential, we don't just rebuild homes — we rebuild hope, dignity and purpose."
An Alabaré spokesperson said: "We're grateful to the mayor for taking the time to learn more about our work.
"The Veteran Self-Build and learning disabilities homes are wonderful examples of how we're aiming to support those in marginalised communities to live happy, healthy and independent lives."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Amesbury mayor praises 'compassionate ethos' of local services
The Mayor of Amesbury has praised two local services for their "compassionate ethos." Councillor Dr Monica Devendran visited Alabaré's Veteran Self-Build programme and learning disabilities homes on Thursday, June 12. The charitable organisation, which supports vulnerable, homeless and marginalised people, said the mayor had been "seeing the difference" the services make to the lives of those who use them. The self-build project in Drummond Park, Ludgershall, helps formerly homeless ex-service personnel learn the skills to build homes that will eventually be available to them for independent living. The veterans also gain skills and the confidence to work in the construction industry. Read more Charity CEO inspired by son's rare kidney condition to help others awarded MBE Livestream of kestrel chicks launched by Hampshire charity 'Beacons of hope': Charity celebrates its dedicated volunteers with tea party Mayor of Amesbury Cllr Dr Monica Devendran (right) visiting Alabaré's Veteran Self-Build programme in Ludgershall, alongside Helen Inglis from Alabaré (left). (Image: Alabaré) The Amesbury mayor also visited a nearby home that supports residents with learning disabilities. She spent time speaking to both residents and staff about their efforts to support residents to live as independently as possible. Councillor Devendran said the visits were "moving and uplifting, showcasing the compassionate ethos at the heart of Alabaré's work." She said: "When we invest in people and believe in their potential, we don't just rebuild homes — we rebuild hope, dignity and purpose." An Alabaré spokesperson said: "We're grateful to the mayor for taking the time to learn more about our work. "The Veteran Self-Build and learning disabilities homes are wonderful examples of how we're aiming to support those in marginalised communities to live happy, healthy and independent lives."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Public servant who dedicated career to families and safeguarding awarded MBE
A DEDICATED public servant who devoted her career to families and safeguarding children has been awarded an MBE. Pier Pritchard, 62, was named in the King's Birthday Honours list on Friday, June 13 for services to children and family care. She grew up in Jersey but moved to Salisbury as a teenager in 1982 to pursue voluntary opportunities in the field and has stayed ever since. Read more Charity CEO inspired by son's rare kidney condition to help others awarded MBE Grand Wiltshire home of former Prime Minister gets top award Pier was nominated for the award by Wiltshire Council's senior leadership team and received the good news around a month ago. She said: 'It was a real surprise. I'm absolutely delighted and touched. One of the hardest things was not being able to tell anyone. 'I have been absolutely overwhelmed since then by kind messages from friends, family and colleagues. I'm very thankful to those people.' Pier received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Children and Young People Awards in October 2024 (Image: Wiltshire Council) Pier had not planned to have a career in social work but became 'hooked' when she started volunteering with children. She later moved into safeguarding and spent most of her 40-year career working for Wiltshire Council, leading innovating work that supported families and protected children facing challenges in their lives. Pier also supported colleagues through significant change after Ofsted judged Wiltshire's Children's Service as 'inadequate' in 2012. The service was rated 'outstanding' in 2023. 'I'm very steadfast and determined,' Pier said. 'I really want to support families. The satisfaction of that work comes through supporting families through tough experiences. 'You need to have passion and want to see families and their children do well. The most important thing is them staying together as families. 'It's important to be open and honest with people. Social work can have a bad press, but I've really enjoyed it. 'I've valued the support that I've had within the council and multi-agency groups, and friendships have developed from that. 'I've worked for Wiltshire Council for almost all those 40 years. They're such a good employer. 'It's important to work within an organisation that supports their staff.' Pier retired from her senior management position in April 2025 and hopes to spend more time with her family, reading and enjoying nice weather, but she plans to stay involved in safeguarding through fostering and adoption panels. Read more Former chair of Salisbury NHS trust recognised in King's birthday honours Decision on plans to open second Lidl supermarket in Salisbury hit with delays Wiltshire Council chief executive Lucy Townsend said: 'This honour is a fitting way to celebrate Pier's extraordinary work in children's social care. 'With over 40 years of dedicated service, Pier has been a tireless advocate for safeguarding and family support in Wiltshire. 'Her leadership in pioneering initiatives like Family Group Conferences, PAUSE and the Family Drug and Alcohol Court has been vital in the success of our services and, on behalf of everyone at the council, I would like to congratulate Pier on receiving her well-deserved MBE.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Livestream of kestrel chicks launched by Hampshire charity
A charity in Hampshire is streaming live footage of kestrel chicks for all to enjoy. The Hawk Conservancy Trust launched the kestrel cam on YouTube for viewers to watch intimate moments in the bird's nest. The camera is installed at a secret nest site in Hampshire and aims to raise awareness of the species which is on the Birds of Conservation Concern amber list. Read More Rare species of bird spotted on the roof of retirement home in Salisbury Farmer calls for action to protect endangered swift birds New five-metre nesting tower installed to support struggling bird populations The charity hopes the livestream will encourage people to support the conservation of the species, which is on the Birds of Conservation Concern amber list (Image: Supplied) Hawk Conservancy Trust CEO Penny Smout said: "This incredible opportunity to watch the life of nesting kestrels is a direct result of our work with species out in the countryside. "The webcam is within one of the hundreds of nest boxes we've installed as part of our Raptor Nest Box Project, which provides nesting opportunities to encourage breeding while allowing monitoring work aimed at identifying the causes of such worrying population decline." The charity hopes that people's enjoyment of the livestream will turn into support for the trust's efforts to combat issues such as habitat loss and decreasing prey populations. The kestrel cam can be found on the Hawk Conservancy Trust's YouTube page or via their website.
