Supporting your family

Are you a close family member of someone in the fire service? We’re here for you.

Support for the family

The pressures of the job don’t stop when the shift ends. In fact, spouses, partners, and families are often the first to notice the physical and mental toll that fire service life can take.

That is why our support isn’t just for those in uniform or retired; we are here for those who stand beside them every day too.

From managing everyday stress and relationship worries to navigating injury, trauma, and loss, we provide confidential clinical care, wellbeing tools, and practical advice. Whether you need expert guidance or just some reassurance during a tough time, you don’t have to carry the weight alone. We are here for you.

two women, a firefighter in uniform and her partner walking through the park

 

Crisis Line

If you’re struggling with thoughts of suicide or you’re just finding it incredibly hard to cope with life right now, you don’t have to carry it alone.

If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of taking your own life, we are here. Our care and support is confidential, free of charge and without judgement – always.

Fire Fighters Charity’s Crisis Line is open 24 hours a day for people who are serving or have retired from the UK fire service.

We’ll help you explore how you’re feeling and offer immediate and ongoing suicide and mental health crisis care.

Call: 0300 373 0896

You may be interested in:

One-to-one psychological care: We can offer a number of one-to-one counselling sessions with our experienced psychological therapists, either online or by telephone.

Residential breaks: Rest and Recharge stays at each of our centres are available for those who need a chance to pause, ground themselves, replenish and reset.

Family weeks: At Harcombe House we have family weeks, including some stays dedicated to families with children who have additional needs.

Enquire about support

Online wellbeing resources and advice: Tools and guidance to support you with a wide range of health and wellbeing topics in our Online Wellbeing Hub. It’s full of great resources and online courses at your fingertips, wherever you are – on everything from fitness, nutrition and sleep to guidance on how we can support you with anxiety, depression, relationship and money worries, loneliness, grief and life changes and much more.

Free children’s book: The Wolf Was Not Sleeping is a gentle and heart-warming picture book designed to help young children cope with the worry of having a parent or caregiver who works in the fire service.

Activities to enjoy together: We’ve gathered a few ideas to keep you busy in the school holidays.

Financial information and support: You can get confidential support, including benefits advice, housing guidance and in some cases, hardship grants. We can also help with claiming welfare benefits, assist you with funding for social care and help with application forms. Our advice and signposting can also guide you on statutory provisions, grants, equipment, paying for care and information about financial assistance that may be available to you.

Home adaptations: We’re here to help with home adaptations, access to specialist equipment (by helping to fund it and sourcing it), and liaising with statutory agencies. We can also give you advice and support with signposting where needed.

Housing and experiencing homelessness: Help is here, including referrals to local authorities, emergency housing support and financial assistance, as well as information on everything from tenancy issues to where you can access financial assistance with essential repairs.

Enquire about support

Anton: “I’d thought it was a charity for firefighters… but it’s all about families too”

Firefighter Anton Awramenko and his family were supported by our Welfare Team after he revealed their struggle to include their youngest son, who has learning disabilities, in family activities.

Anton's story