EXTRA help for traumatised war veterans in Gloucester is being welcomed on the front line by the city's homeless.
Christian charity Alabaré is opening its second centre in Church Road, Longlevens, giving accommodation to eight ex-servicemen.
There they can receive support they need to address problems such as post traumatic stress disorder, addictions and debt to return to civilian life.
Although the centre has received some objections from residents nearby, ex-soldier Paul Davies said the facility is vital for Gloucester.
Paul, pictured, who has been homeless, said Alabaré does not have the 'silver bullet' to cure Gloucester's emergency accommodation crisis.
He ended up on the streets of Gloucester after being forced to leaving the Army and was struggling with depression.
"I did five months military training in Catterick in 2004 and was pursuing a dream of becoming a soldier," he said. "It took me four years to get in as I had glandular fever in 2000 and almost died. I was looking forward to finally starting the training, a lot of my friends were already in."
Paul wanted to join his mates in the forces, some who had already deployed to Afghanistan.
But the glandular fever had permanently affected his hearing. Despite passing the medical he was struggling with the day to day life of being a soldier. "I enjoyed the training, the physical nature and 5am starts. The structure was good for me. But I started to feel stress. I don't know why, it was the first time I had felt like that. It was hard to cope. The Army wanted me to stay in, but it was impossible for me and how I was feeling. I lost a lot of weight."
Paul was taken to a holding unit in Catterick with Hook Company, for soldiers who had gone absent without leave or had suffered health issues. He left was finally allowed to leave the Army a few weeks later. Although plagued by depression, Paul volunteered at the Marines Cadets in Southgate Street to help other youngsters considering a military career.
His marriage broke down and he lost contact with his two daughters. Paul settled in Gloucester after a brief spell at an Alabaré centre in Bristol. He moved back to Gloucester to be closer to his children, and now stays at the Dorchester in Denmark Road.
He added: "There is a lot of help for ex-servicemen but not everyone knows about it. I've met a lot of soldiers who are homeless.
"The Alabaré place I stayed in Bristol was in a quiet area like Longlevens and there were not any problems.
"If anyone causes trouble they are moved on. If one person doesn't pay their rent, it can cause problems but it gets sorted out."
An Alabare centre opened in Alexander Road last year. Paul now wants to continue volunteering and hopefully secure a paid job in the youth training sector.
Longlevens resident Dave Bennett, who used to be a civilian administrator for the RAF, said service personnel need all the help they can get to return to normal life.
"These people have put their necks on the line for our country and they need the support from their community.
"Alabaré centres are fantastic facilities for fulfilling that role.
"I'm sure the centre in Church Road will become a valuable resource for military veterans. Longlevens is a great community to be apart of and I'm sure it will welcome them in."
