A former servicewoman has settled into her new flat after taking on the exciting task of a self-build project.
Debbie Kelly still can’t quite believe her involvement in the veterans’ self-build project and is delighted to continue making lifelong memories at the development in Plymouth.
Our resident Debbie, 58, said: “This self-build project has given me a new lease of life and I’m in my own flat that I’ve helped build.
“I want to put my stamp on the home, but these are high quality homes that are warm which is great as my previous flat was very cold, so coming from a cold flat to a warm place has been a godsend for me.
“It’s been great that these organisations have come together. I’m not moving from this flat and I’m hoping to stay here now so this will hopefully be my last move.”
Today we’re recognising Reserves Day, where we pay tribute to all Reservists for their dedication and commitment to serving our country. The Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of our Armed Forces personnel.
Debbie was one of five veterans who got involved in the building and construction of the scheme at Stirling House and is delighted to help build highly energy-efficient homes with air source heat pumps.
The Stirling House project began in 2021 and has 25 affordable homes to rent, which has given the area a much-needed boost in affordable homes.
The development is a partnership between LiveWest, Plymouth City Council and veterans’ charity Alabaré.
In 1996 Debbie left the Royal Air Force (RAF) after completing 12 years' service, Debbie will look back on her time in the forces in her new home and has been given the opportunity to pursue a new passion.
Debbie said: “My parents were both in the Navy, so I wanted to join up. From an early age, I always wanted to join the forces so when I got the opportunity, which was as soon as I was old enough, so I enquired pretty much straight away.”
“I tried for the Navy initially but wasn’t successful and then I applied for the RAF and was accepted so eventually I received the call up to join which I did!”
She spent 12 years in the RAF in Communications, and was based mainly at Northwood, Middlesex, with an overseas posting to Cyprus and a detachment to the Falkland Islands.
Debbie said: “I loved it, I didn’t really want to come out but at the time the forces were being cutback and I just didn’t have the opportunity to sign on again.
“I had not long been married when I decided to come out the RAF. I was married to a serviceman, so I decided the best thing to do was become a military wife, that’s how I’ve ended up in Plymouth.
“Moving to a new city was challenging, my great grandmother used to live here, so we used to come down to see her every summer and I remember Plymouth from my younger days. Since she passed away, I haven’t been back here so, it was still strange moving to a different city.
The self-build project has even given Debbie the chance to go to college and pursue her passion of gardening, something she wants to turn into a new career.
She is shortly finishing studying for an RHS Level Two in Practical Horticulture at Bicton College.
Debbie added: “I’ve always been into gardening and being on the project has given me the opportunity to go to college. I want to do it as a job not a hobby, so it’s been an interesting process.
“Working on the site has been very interesting, working with the different contractors and the other veterans. We’ve had our ups and downs, (being the only woman on site), but that hasn’t stopped me, and I don’t look at it like that, I’m part of the team.
“The other people I’ve met along the way has been the icing on the cake. I’m sure that we will bump into each other and reminisce about our time on the project.”