The Boots on the Ground Project is an initiative supported by the Armed Forces Covenant Positive Pathways Programme. Its main goal is to enhance the mental well-being of veterans through outdoor activities, fostering their resilience and ability to move forward.

The program is built upon the established NHS 5 Steps to Wellbeing framework:

1. Connect with others - Building relationships and self-esteem.
2. Be physically active - Triggering brain chemicals that improve mood.
3. Learn new skills - Creating a sense of purpose.
4. Give to others - Generating positive emotions and a feeling of reward.
5. Pay attention to the present - Practicing mindfulness for self-awareness and increased enjoyment of life.

The initiative has several regional implementations:

1. North Wales - Led by Lee, offering activities like hill walking, crafting, historical walks, and more.
2. South Wales - Managed by Mel, involving fishing trips, hillwalking, woodturning, and working with offenders.
3. England - Karen leads this region, focusing on activities like horticultural therapy, sailing, beekeeping, and collaboration with the Armed Forces Breakfast Club.
4. Boots on the Ground Young People Wiltshire - Managed by Gemma, with a focus on improving young people's mental health through similar activities.
5. Buddy to Buddy - Karen manages a peer mentor program, pairing veterans to provide support and companionship

25 years later, Alabaré now offers support to over 3,000 people in need through its homes and services across the South and South Westof England and Wales. We provide specialist support for young mothers and their babies, people suffering from addictions, young people and those leaving the care system, those experiencing mental ill health, adults with learning difficulties, and Armed Forces Veterans who struggle to cope with life outside of the military. We also run training courses and day activities at two Development Centres in Wiltshire. Beyond this we also provide our learning difficulties clients with long term supported homes; a care service for those living in their own accommodation and a residential Christian Community.