Member Article

Dorset housebuilder donates £1,000 to restore boat shed for Bournemouth veterans

Barratt Homes is showing its support for ex-military personnel in the region, by handing over £1,000 to veterans’ charity, Bournemouth Above and Beyond Trust to fund an important project.

The leading housebuilder, which is building new homes across Dorset, has donated the cash to the charity to restore a Victorian boat shed in Bournemouth, which was in desperate need of repair. The boat shed, near Overcliffe Drive in Southbourne, has been used by the charity to run water sports sessions for the last 10 years, helping to improve both the mental and physical health and wellbeing of its members.

Bournemouth Above and Beyond Trust was set up to support ex-military personnel and serving military with re-integration to civilian life. The boat shed has been an invaluable resource to both its members and their families and has been seeking funds to help keep the facility going.

Barratt Homes was eager to help and handed over a cheque for £1,000 to the charity last week.

Amedeo Angiolini, Project Worker at Bournemouth Above and Beyond Trust, said he is extremely grateful: “Our boat shed’s location is ideal, but because of the building’s age, and mainly caused by the constant effects of wind, rain, and rough sea conditions, it needs numerous repairs, including waterproofing its roof and repointing its walls, among other things.

“With Barratt’s donation, we can go ahead and make these renovations, which is excellent.”

Amedeo added: “For many of our members PTSD, anxiety and depression are a reality and the water sessions we offer have proved their worth with regards specifically to their mental health. We want to ensure that we can continue providing this support for many years to come.”

Barratt Homes is committed to helping organisations who need it in the communities in which it’s building, and Assistant Site Manager, Victoria Grinnall, an ex-forces member herself, said the donation is particularly close to her heart.

She said: “I came into Barratt via the housebuilder’s Armed Forces Transition Programme after working in the military, so I know how difficult it can be to re-integrate into society. Bournemouth Above and Beyond Trust is offering an incredible support to ex-servicemen and women and I’m thrilled to be handing over this cheque to help with its boat shed repairs.”

Bournemouth Above and Beyond Trust has been looking after its members via its water sports sessions for 10 years. This support is based on a model that the US Military has been implementing since the 1960s – several clinical studies have shown how participation in water sport activities are beneficial holistically and improves both mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Barratt Homes is committed to supporting local organisations and is a proud supporter of the Armed Forces.

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