95 Durnford Street
95 Durnford Street houses the Firestone Plymouth project.
Little Stonehouse nestles between Devonport and Plymouth. Down the spine of its peninsula runs Durnford St, passing the Cremyll Ferry and The Royal William Yard on its way to Firestone Bay at the end. Half way along, number 95 is a large rented house, accommodating ten men, all addicts in recovery. This is Firestone Plymouth. The project has been running successfully for the last two and a half years, set up by and modelled on the Bideford Lighthouse Project.
This is what some of the people living at the Project have said:
‘Since living at (Firestone Plymouth) this is the longest time in my life I’ve been dry. Ever.’
‘If I hadn’t made this decision to come down here, and if (the manager) hadn’t accepted me, I would be going to prison.’
‘If it wasn’t for the project, I would be on the street.’
‘I guess if I were still in active addiction, drinking, I’d be dead.’
Firestone Plymouth has achieved this by providing a safe place to live, with people who support each other to stay off alcohol and drugs. This mutual aid is one of the key reasons the Firestone model works.
Another reason is the support which the manager and staff team provide, as well as the encouragement to attend a recovery programme.
Sadly, the model is very rare. Accommodation supplied without the support has an incredibly high drop-out rate; and nearly half such places in the South West have had to close over the last five years. The project keeps financially stable thanks to the Housing Benefit supplied by Plymouth City Council.
The local community is very supportive in general to the project. Last April, a small group of enthusiasts got together to set up a Community Benefit Society called The Firestone Society Ltd. Its aim is to raise enough money to buy number 95 from the present owner, becoming the new landlord committed to supporting the project and ensuring its long-term survival.
Ron Smith, one of three directors for the society, said: ‘We have been organised and directed by a professional in this task. Several foundations have given grants totalling £20k for the expenses of the set up. We are now fully up and running and in the throes of issuing an invitation to locals and others to become investing members. We need £400k for the purchase.’
For more information, contact Mr Smith on 07780 913546 or 01752 674230 or by emailing ronaldfwsmith@gmail.com. Hard copy is available on request.