Have you gone through a change in your life recently? Maybe you’ve felt more stressed or anxious than usual – or perhaps you’re simply looking for everyday techniques to boost your wellbeing?
Whatever stage you’re at, our HOPE Programme is designed to fit around you. Just as Greater Manchester FRS Watch Manager, Lewis Jeffery, discovered first-hand.
Lewis has worn many hats during his fire service career – non-operational, on-call, operational, and support roles across both Lincolnshire and Greater Manchester FRSs. He also volunteers as a Service Coordinator for Fire Fighters Charity, regularly encouraging colleagues to access our support.
That’s how he came across the HOPE Programme: an award-winning online wellbeing programme that’s flexible, anonymous, and built for anyone navigating change or uncertainty.
“At first, I was interested in becoming a volunteer facilitator,” Lewis recalls. “But I realised I needed to experience the programme myself before helping others. I never expected to benefit from it as much as I did.”
The online programme includes quizzes, audio and video materials, interactive activities and social networking via email and forums – all of which can be taken at your own pace.
“For me, the best bit is the interaction with the other individuals, which of course is completely optional,” says Lewis. “It’s not about experts telling you what should happen. It’s people sharing their own experiences, which really opens your mind and makes you feel comfortable.”
“It’s well planned, easy to use, and fits around your personal and work life”
Lewis Jeffery
Lewis says the programme is particularly helpful in building resilience – which is vital when working in the fire service, which comes with its own unique challenges.
“It’s better to be prepared. If you’ve already built awareness and understanding, you’re more able to access support when you need it,” he says.
“And from a peer support perspective, you’re better placed to offer guidance to others too. If you’ve managed your mental wellbeing early, when something hits you, you’ve already built up that resilience to manage it.”
Inspired by his experience, Lewis went on to train as a volunteer facilitator, supporting others who join the programme
“It’s great interacting with people on there and it’s well planned, easy to use, and fits around your personal and work life. You’re not tied to it all day, which makes it manageable alongside busy roles.”
One of those roles is his Service Coordinator volunteer position with Fire Fighters Charity, where he promotes the importance of both fundraising and awareness.
“There’s a great charity out there that we fundraise for at stations, whether it’s car wash, open days, individual activities, and not enough people are taking advantage of it as much as they could,” Lewis says.
“By doing my Service Coordinator role, it’s about raising that awareness and showing that it’s not just doing the car washes, there’s loads of things you can get from it too.”
Find out more about our HOPE Programme and sign up for a future date here:
If you feel you’d benefit from our health and wellbeing support, you can call our Support Line on 0800 389 8820, make an enquiry online or click below: