A former army veteran who was on the verge of homelessness is thrilled to be building his own home as part of a self-build military project in Plymouth.
Stirling House is a partnership between Plymouth City Council, LiveWest and veterans’ charity Alabaré and will provide 25 affordable homes for rent.
The project will benefit from grant-funding from government housing agency Homes England.
The scheme follows on from the completion of the Nelson Project in October 2017. This multi award-winning scheme saw the construction of a 24-home development that includes 12 self-build homes for military veterans and 12 mixed use affordable homes, including supported housing.
Adrian Colwill, 47, joined the forces at the age of 16 and served in the Royal Artillery before performing a number of successful roles, including managing a hotel, when he eventually left the military.
During this time, Adrian experienced some mental health challenges which, despite being years after leaving the forces, left him on the brink of becoming homeless.
Now Adrian is enjoying a new chapter in his life after becoming involved in the construction of 25 new homes at the site of the former residential care home on Honicknowle Green.
Adrian said: “I left the forces as I wanted to experience what civilian life was like.
“I settled down and had a family. I was never out of work and did everything from making cheese to running hotels.
“Bu the wheels started to fall off and I entered a dark place. It was an unpleasant time of my life and I needed support.
“So to go from being virtually homeless to building my home is a phenomenal journey, something you wouldn’t believe was viable.”
Adrian is one of five military veterans working on the Stirling House project which will be completed next year.
During the course, the veterans earn construction qualifications and skills which will help them gain employment once the project is complete.
The Alabaré team specialise in providing support to the veterans throughout the project to help them rebuild their self-esteem, mental health and wellbeing, enabling them to live successful, independent civilian lives in the new homes they have built.
Adrian combines working on site with a Master’s degree in Psychology at Plymouth University. He has also just completed a Site Supervisor Course.
Adrian added: “The guys on site have been phenomenal. I have been able to do a lot of training which is a huge step up for me.
“The guys take time to explain the intricacies of what they are doing, and I am learning a level of skills I would never have access to. It is exciting and rejuvenating.
“By doing general labouring and brick-laying means there is potential for employment at the end of it.
“If you had spoken to me a year-and-a-half ago, this was only a wild dream. It was something I didn’t think was possible, but things are moving on really well.
“I am actually working on the block that I will end up living in.“The dark places are still there, however I have been fortunate enough not to return to those places as much.
“Doing things like this helps as it gives you a sense of achievement and there are all of the psychological benefits.
“And it is exciting to think that the people I am building with are going to be my neighbours. We are all there to support each other.”
Totnes-based, Coyde Construction, has been contracted to build the Stirling House scheme which has been designed by architects Form Design.
Of the 25 homes, 19 will be one and two-bedroom flats together with two, three and four-bedroom housing.
Once complete, all of the homes will be let by LiveWest at a subsidised social rent, in order to provide support for households in high need.
The large four-bedroom house has also been designed as a wheelchair adapted property, helping to address the significant shortage of such properties across the city.