We are delighted to have helped a military veteran, Adrian Colwill, build his own home which he has recently moved in to just in time for the New Year.
Adrian Colwill, 47, a former Royal Artillery soldier from the age of 16, experienced some mental health challenges when he left the forces, and had been at risk of becoming homeless until the opportunity at Stirling House in Plymouth was offered, where Adrian now lives with his family.
We partnered with Plymouth City Council, veterans’ charity Alabaré and Coyde Construction to give former military personnel new homes, as well as skills in construction to help start a new career.
Stirling House, which began construction in July 2021, is providing 25 self-contained affordable homes for rent with 12 of those being self-built by former service personnel in need of housing. Each finished home is fully electric with air source heat pumps and high energy efficiency.
Adrian said: “This is the ultimate New Year’s gift and now I feel like I have not just got a house but a future.
“It has been an emotional time for me and my family and we burst into tears when we found out we would be given the keys.
“My son cannot wait, he is so excited. He has already started planning how he is going to kit out his bedroom.
“It is more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
Hear more from Adrian in the video below.
Adrian is now looking forward to the future and plans to carve out a career in the construction sector having amassed a wealth of skills during the project.
Congratulations to Adrian, his family, and all the other veterans who have been involved with the Stirling House project.