Self-build scheme: Lee’s story

Facing an uncertain future

After leaving the Army, Lee worked as an agency forklift driver in Cheltenham. Life was going well for him, and things were looking up when he moved to a new job that offered him a higher salary and more opportunities for personal and professional growth. But when the Covid pandemic hit, everything changed. Due to his probationary period at the new job, Lee was made redundant. This was a huge setback, and it left him feeling uncertain about the future.

To make matters worse, Lee was living with his girlfriend at the time, but their relationship ended shortly after. The combination of losing his job, his relationship breaking down, and the overwhelming sense of uncertainty led Lee to turn to alcohol to cope with his emotions. He was struggling to manage the pain of everything that had happened in his life, and soon found himself homeless.

Finding the self-build scheme

Desperate for help, Lee reached out to as many organisations as he could find, hoping to get some support and a place to stay. He contacted his battalion benevolent fund, the Royal British Legion (RBL), SSAFA, his local council, and Alabaré’s Homes for Veterans, which was able to offer him a safe place to live, as well as crucial support to help him overcome the alcohol dependency he was battling.

In early 2022, after spending some time at the Homes for Veterans, the team at Alabaré introduced Lee to an exciting new opportunity that would change his life. They discussed the possibility of him getting involved in the Self-Build Scheme in Ludgershall, a project that Alabaré was supporting. The self-build scheme offered Lee a chance to not only have a place to call his own but also the opportunity to gain new skills, rebuild his confidence, and move forward with his life. Lee jumped at the chance, seeing this as the opportunity he desperately needed.

In February 2022, Lee enrolled in a college course to work toward his CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card, a qualification that would allow him to work on construction sites. This was a crucial step in his journey, as it would provide him with the necessary skills to be a part of the self-build scheme and contribute meaningfully to the construction of his future home.

By the spring of 2022, Lee was officially part of the self-build scheme in Ludgershall. He was thrilled to begin this new chapter of his life and embrace the challenges that lay ahead. The scheme not only provided Lee with a roof over his head but also gave him a sense of purpose and a path to long-term stability. The opportunity to work on building his own home, alongside others who shared similar experiences, gave him a sense of community and belonging that he had not felt in years.

“This course is a lifesaver for people like me. It’s going to put me on the road to recovery and, at the end, provide me with a job and a wage,” Lee shared. “I’m looking forward to being part of a group again, returning to work, and gaining as many skills as possible. It’s an opportunity I never thought I’d have, and I am determined to make the most of it.”

Embracing the self-build scheme

Lee’s outlook on life has completely transformed since joining the self-build scheme. He now feels empowered and motivated by the possibilities that lie ahead. The skills he is gaining through the program are not just practical; they’re also helping him regain his self-confidence and renew his sense of purpose. As he works toward building his own home, Lee is excited to explore the diverse range of roles that the self-build scheme offers, discovering what he enjoys most in the construction field, and ultimately creating a stable future for himself.

“I’ve been through a lot, but I now have this opportunity,” Lee said. “I’m really excited to take on a diverse range of roles to see what I enjoy most and to build my own home. It’s going to be a fresh start and a new chapter in my life.”

For Lee, the self-build scheme is more than just an opportunity to gain a qualification or a new skill—it’s a chance to rebuild his life, recover from past struggles, and build a future full of hope, independence, and stability.

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