Transitioning from military life to civilian life can seem like a bridge too far. At PL1 Civvy Street, we understand this as we've been on that journey. We're more than a space; we're a veteran-built compass guiding you towards a supportive community.
Connect with like-minded individuals, share your experiences, and discuss anything you wish over a coffee. No matter what you're facing, you'll find a listening ear and a supportive network at PL1 Civvy Street.
We don't just offer a place to connect; we offer a path forward. Our experienced caseworkers will provide tailored support, helping you navigate resources and access the help you need. Whether you're looking to get back into the workforce, find stable housing, or upskill yourself, we’re here to enable you.
Enabling Veterans, Building Futures
OUR MISSION AND VISION
VISION STATEMENT
To create and establish a thriving and dynamic space for Plymouth's armed forces community to discover camaraderie, purpose, and unparalleled support today and always.
MISSION STATEMENT
PL1 Civvy Street is dedicated to creating a responsive space for our armed forces community to signpost them to the help and support they need. By fostering respect, collaboration, and empowerment, we aim to impact veterans' lives to enable a brighter future positively.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Meet Jamie Gibbs, the founder of PL1 Civvy Street. As a former Royal Marine, Jamie encountered the reality of transitioning back to civilian life within the city. This process was marked by low wage expectations and limited support, a struggle many veterans can relate to.
Despite these challenges, Jamie's determination pushed him to exceed these expectations. Since 2004, he has focused on continuous training and skill enhancement, successfully running businesses with national reach from his city base.
His company, Retain Limited, proudly holds a Gold Award for the Employer Recognition Scheme of the Armed Forces Covenant, with a focus on employing service leavers. Jamie believes that retaining these valuable skill sets within our city is crucial for its growth and to bridge current skill gaps.
His experiences have motivated him to inspire and support other veterans by establishing PL1 Civvy Street, a community where they can find support and opportunity.
Jamie's vision was clear: to create a place where veterans could get the necessary assistance and resources to thrive after their service. He envisioned a space where shared experiences, laughter and unwavering help and support would empower veterans to rediscover their purpose and build fulfilling lives.
With an unyielding commitment to his fellow service leavers, Jamie has set out to make this dream a reality. Jamie’s leadership, combined with his deep empathy and firsthand understanding of veterans’ struggles, has shaped the model of PL1 Civvy Street. His unwavering belief in every veteran’s potential to not only survive but thrive in civilian life is the cornerstone of the organisation’s values.
He appreciates that this can only be achieved with the collaboration of others and believes in the importance of collaborating with local, regional and national organisations and charities that support veterans.
Jamie is passionate about enabling veterans to maintain the fresh mindset they had when first entering the military, where they believed that career progression was a real, attainable goal. He strives to help them understand how the values and skills they learned in the military can be effectively applied in civilian life.
Through his initiatives, Jamie supports veterans in identifying their transferable skills and removing self-imposed boundaries and limitations regarding what a civilian career can provide.
His personal insight and understanding of transitioning have shaped the core values of PL1 Civvy Street, focusing on empowering veterans to reclaim their purpose and thrive in civilian life.
