Member Article

Dorset housebuilder is guest of honour at grand opening of veteran accommodation it helped to build

Barratt Homes was among the list of VIP guests at the grand opening of The Talbot Mews in Bournemouth, a set of purpose-built properties for ex-service men and women, that the developer helped to build.

On Saturday 25th March, Helping Homeless Veterans UK hosted a special opening ceremony of the brand-new accommodation in Winton, specifically built to provide temporary housing for ex-military personnel who find themselves with nowhere to live.

The grand unveiling saw 150 people attend. Among the other VIP guests were Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, who cut the official ribbon, and the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. The many companies and individuals who offered their support for the special build project were also present.

Leading housebuilder, Barratt Homes, provided a financial contribution for the build in 2022, along with extra manpower, including carpenters to hang many of the doors and install skirting boards at the premises.

Tammy Bishop, Barratt Homes Sales Director, was delighted to be invited to the accommodation’s official opening and was there on the day. She said: “Barratt offered its support for this incredible build project last year and it’s wonderful to see the accommodation complete and ready for veterans that need somewhere to stay.

“We are proud supporters of the Armed Forces so it has been fantastic to have the chance to speak with Helping Homeless Veterans UK trustees and local dignitaries about the support that’s needed for ex-military men and women.”

Helping Homeless Veterans UK is a Poole-based charity run solely by volunteers who dedicate their free time to helping homeless veterans. Barratt Homes donated £1,500 to the charity’s Veterans Build Project and sent in a group of its carpentry apprentices to help with construction in October last year.

David Wood, Helping Homeless Veterans UK Trustee, and an ex-serviceman who himself experienced homelessness after leaving the Armed Forces in 1997, said the charity was extremely grateful for Barratt’s support.

He said: “It’s just fantastic to be able to mark this new accommodation’s official opening. These six new flats will provide temporary accommodation for veterans who find themselves homeless for whatever reason and will take away the use of council hostels as well hotels, which comes as a great expense to our charity.

“We are extremely grateful to Barratt Homes for its support, and it has been a real pleasure to welcome Tammy here as a special guest today.”

Helping Homeless Veterans UK started as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in September 2019. It has helped 350 veterans in just three and a half years, with 289 now settled in permanent housing.

The Talbot Mews is a set of six ensuite flatlets which will be used as temporary accommodation for homeless ex-forces personnel.

​Barratt Homes is building new homes across Dorset and is committed to supporting local causes in the areas in which it is building.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .