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.
John McCulloch has struggled with his mental health and traumatic memories ever since having a stroke, but he says he and his partner – who’s been his carer – have been supported by the charity throughout. When retired firefighter Brian Hull’s wife passed away in 2019, he received support from his former colleagues through the charity’s Living Well Groups. For retired firefighter Nigel Brown, the fire service has become ingrained in his family history. Now he reveals why he is gifting part of his father’s estate to the charity, as a thank you for the years of support they’ve received. When Owen Spiers managed to overcome 20 years of addiction, he thought he’d finally beaten his demons. However, his mental health later hit rock bottom and he says the charity was a major lifeline. Recently-retired London and North Yorkshire firefighter Stuart Rye cycled the four compass points of mainland Britain for his Fire Family Challenge. And it made him reflect on his own journey with mental health.
John: “I thought I’d tucked it to the back of my mind, but it was all coming back”
Brian: “The fire service is a family – having Living Well Groups keeps us in touch”
Nigel: “The charity helped our family, we wanted to give something back”
Owen: “It’s a safety net when you feel you’re going to step off the tight rope”
Stuart: “You have to just keep focusing on the road in front”
