Adam: “I thought I was covering it up, but in reality, I really needed help”
Devon and Somerset firefighter, Adam Payne, shares how a week at Harcombe House provided the reassurance he needed during a challenging period for his mental health.
Real life story categories
Find out how Fire Fighters Charity has supported service users across the UK and how you can share your story with the fire community. Click categories or regions below to filter the list of stories.
Paddy: “There are a lot of people who don’t know they need help – I was one of them”
Northern Ireland Group Commander, Paddy Quinn, tried our HOPE Programme so he could recommend it to his trainees, never expecting the benefits it would have for him too.
John: “I would wake up in panics, to the point I was scared of going to sleep”
John Aitchison has candidly shared his journey with mental health challenges to encourage others across the fire service to reach out for help sooner than he did.
Pat: “Fire Fighters Charity has helped keep me connected to the fire family after my husband died”
When Pat Johnson’s beloved husband, Bill, passed away, she not only received support from her own family – but her wider “fire family” too. She shares how, through stays at our centres and Living Well Groups, she’s gone on to establish lifelong friendships.
Lewis: “By managing your mental wellbeing early, you’re ready when life throws challenges your way”
Watch Manager Lewis Jeffery has become one of our volunteer facilitators on the HOPE Programme after discovering the difference it can make to overall mental health first-hand.