James: “My story is not unique. But we don’t talk enough.”
For the first time ever, Hertfordshire Station Commander James Bull is opening up about his own mental health struggles in the hope it inspires other people to do the same.
Real life story categories
Find out how The Fire Fighters Charity has supported beneficiaries 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.
For former RAF firefighter Mark Latham, the combination of a near-fatal accident and traumatic incident while deployed in Afghanistan left him struggling to cope. He waited to ask for support because he felt like he didn't deserve help, something he says he regrets. But since visiting Harcombe House, he's happier and healthier than he has been in years. Clare Banks is walking a thousand miles in a year to raise funds for The Fire Fighters Charity, as a way of saying thank you for the kindness shown to her husband, Cliff, after his stroke. Through the ups and downs, they are by each other's side, every single step of the way. As the Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Advisor for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, Fiona Prew is no stranger to signposting people to the Charity to help them with their recovery. But when hit by a car while riding her bicycle and left with potentially life-changing injuries, she admits it took her longer than it ought to have done for her to consider asking for help herself. When Peter Miles was invited to spend time at Jubilee House to help him with post-illness-and-surgery recovery he had no idea he would also experience a 'eureka moment' about his own mental health battles as well.
Mark: “I shouldn’t have waited until I was burnt out before contacting you”
Clare: “We’re taking things one step at a time, with each other by our sides”
Fiona: “I kick myself for leaving it so long before I called for myself”
Peter: “I realised I thought I was broken”