South West-based homelessness charity, ALABARÉ, is sending 10 previously homeless veterans on a two-week international programme to restore historic military sites in Malta while rebuilding their own wellbeing, confidence, and sense of purpose.
The innovative programme is being delivered in partnership with Heritage Malta, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), and academic teams from Bangor University and Archaeology Warwickshire, the mission blends heritage conservation with therapeutic rehabilitation; an approach ALABARÉ calls Heritage That Heals.
The group is comprised of veterans from all three Armed Forces with roots across the UK. They will spend 17 April – 1 May restoring Fort Delimara and the AFM Delimara Post, working alongside Maltese heritage specialists and military personnel.
Gary Chapman, ALABARÉ’s Head of Veterans’ Services, said:
“This programme builds on the foundations of our nature-based outdoor wellbeing activities ‘Boots on the Ground’.
“We know that structured physical work, peer support, and service–like environments help break the cycle of veterans’ homelessness. In Malta, heritage itself becomes part of the healing.”
The programme includes VIP visits, cultural excursions, and an Anzac Day commemoration.
Veterans will also participate in a research project measuring the programme’s wellbeing impacts.
Leona Huey, Heritage Lecturer at Bangor University, said:
“Veterans bring a range of valuable strengths to archaeology, including teamwork, leadership, and the ability to adapt in demanding environments. Just as importantly, their varied life experiences can open up new ways of interpreting the past, enriching academic discussions and broadening the perspectives applied to archaeological work.
“For students, international experiences that involve working alongside veterans offer a more dynamic and rewarding learning environment. Engaging with people beyond their usual academic cohort encourages fresh ways of thinking, challenges assumptions, and helps build confidence in collaborative settings.”
The heritage mission follows on from the success of previous overseas trips, such as Gibraltar in 2024 and Malta in 2025.
Participants in the Heritage that Heals project last year reported a marked improvement in their mental wellbeing, based on the Office for National Statistics wellbeing survey, equating to a social value benefit of over £5,500 per person.
Richie Costello, who took part in last year’s visit and will be taking part again this time as a volunteer, said:
“The heritage trip to Malta in 2025 changed my life. Spending time with a group of veterans who’ve experienced similar challenges to me, restoring a historic military site that is going to attract more visitors to Malta, and the appreciation that we received from people like Armed Forces Malta and Heritage Malta was both humbling and inspiring.”
Barry Lloyd is taking part as a mature student at Bangor University and is also a veteran. He said:
“I’m looking forward to returning to Malta for the first time as a veteran. My first experience of the island was in 2011 for operations in Northern Africa. This time I will have the opportunity to explore the island’s rich military heritage and to put into practice the last two years of archaeological theory with hands-on work.
“I’m looking forward to linking that learning together but also passing on to the rest of the team the knowledge I’ve gained at Bangor.”
Charlie Palmer and Susan Porter are joining the trip from Archaeology Warwickshire. Charlie said:
“I have a strong interest in the preservation of heritage sites, as I am currently working towards training in historic building recording, and in particular, taking measures against the effects of the environment on historic sites.”
Susan added:
“I think this is a great opportunity to bring people together, share stories and learn new things. Heritage has the ability to bring people of different backgrounds together, express new thoughts and understandings, alongside creating new stories.
“It can help us challenge our perspectives on all sorts of things and gain a better understanding of people’s past and present, and help us with our own struggles. I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with others and learning new things along the way.”
Donations towards the heritage visit can be made through a dedicated ALABARÉ JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/malta2026
Photos: Some images attached from a pre-trip visit to the National Archives in Kew, along with images from the 2025 Malta trip.
