THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING YEAR
As we welcome the New Year, I’m thrilled to introduce this refreshed edition of Shout! magazine and take a moment to thank you – our incredible supporters – for all that you do for Fire Fighters Charity.
Your dedication lies at the heart of everything we achieve. Whether you’ve donated money, organised a fundraising event, recycled clothing, raised awareness of our services, or encouraged others to get involved, your support makes a lasting difference to each member of the fire family who turns to us in their time of need.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks for all your kindness and generosity in 2024. We’ve been able to achieve a huge amount – with nearly 10,000 people benefitting from our services in the past year. Whether it’s rehabilitation, emotional and mental health, wellbeing or welfare support, nursing, recuperative breaks, transitioning into retirement or living well in older age, every one of our services has been made possible thanks to supporters like you.
We have big ambitions for the year ahead and we are thrilled that you’re with us on the journey. One of our priorities is to improve and further develop our services so that we can help more people to live well during and after service. In the year ahead, we will also continue working to build even stronger relationships and links with the health and wellbeing offering of fire and rescue services across the country, so we can make sure every member of the fire family knows we are here for them and prevent injury, illness and detriments to wellbeing from arising where possible.
We’re also exploring ways to increase and diversify our income to match the rising costs we are having to absorb. And we remain committed to improving how we do our everyday work so that we can make a lasting difference for those we are here to support.
It’s also important for us to take time to listen. In 2025, we are keen to hear from those who benefit from our services and from our supporters too. There will be opportunities to share your thoughts and views on how we are getting on, including via our social media channels later this year. Alongside the views of the members of our Beneficiary Experience Panel, your feedback will help inform our decision making.
We have packed this issue of Shout! with the latest about the charity and our services, I hope you will find it informative. There is so much momentum in our charity right now, and everything we do is thanks to you.
With your support we are making sure our fire family can live healthier and happier lives.
Sherine Wheeler Chief Executive, Fire Fighters Charity
SHOUT! ABOUT IT
All the latest news, information and links you need to make the most of 2025.
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW-LOOK SHOUT!
Happy New Year and welcome to your all-new Shout! Now coming to you in a more environmentally-friendly format and supported by the Shout! Podcast and Shout!TV, we hope you like this slimline overview of news and information from across Fire Fighters Charity. We listened to what you told us when we asked for your thoughts on Shout! and our new format means that we can keep you informed, while also reducing our costs and environmental impact.
Tell us what you think at shout@firefighterscharity.org.uk
ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED
Back in November, at our Annual General Meeting, attended by our Trustees and Company Members at our Jubilee House centre in Cumbria, we were pleased to publish our 2023/24 Annual Report and Accounts.
Reflecting on the people, programmes and projects we supported over the course of the last financial year, the report includes messages from our Chief Executive, Sherine Wheeler, as well as our Chair of the Board of Trustees, John Baines.
It also includes key insights and statistics from across all areas of the charity, showcasing the many ways we impacted people’s lives across the UK and how our incredible supporters went to extraordinary lengths to raise the funds we need.
You can read the report in full at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/annualreport2324
SHOUT!PODCAST IS BACK
Season 3 of Shout!Podcast returned to all major podcast platforms at the tail end of last year.
Hosted by our Content Editor, Rebecca Pocklington, the monthly podcast includes interviews with beneficiaries, supporters and charity staff, giving you an in-depth insight into the many ways we help and make a difference to people’s lives.
Listen, rate and subscribe to the show wherever you usually get your podcasts, and find out more at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/shoutpodcast
LONDON MARATHONERS KICK OFF FUNDRAISING
Our incredible London Marathon runners will, like thousands of others, be kicking off their training this month, as well as their incredible fundraising efforts. This year 20 runners will be taking to the Capital’s streets as part of our official team, with many others running on our behalf. Keep an eye on our website over the coming weeks to find out more about each of them and discover some inspirational stories, like that of Hannah Binns.
Hannah has already raised almost £7,000 for us after being rescued by firefighters following a serious car accident in 2023. You can read her full story at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/hannah
CRISIS LINE MARKS ANNIVERSARY
Last November, the Fire Fighters Charity Crisis Line marked its first anniversary. The 24/7 phone line – 0300 3730896 – is available for any member of fire and rescue service personnel experiencing suicidal thoughts and has, over its first 12 months, received 217 calls.
Launched alongside a suite of suicide prevention and postvention resources designed for fire service members, families and anyone who may be struggling, or know someone who is, the resources can be accessed at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/crisisline
TIME TO THRIVE
BOOST YOUR WELLBEING IN 2025
Why not make 2025 the year you boost your wellbeing? Whether you’d like to step up your physical health, move forward with your mental health or make a difference to others, here are a few of the ways we can help…
www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/wellbeing-2025
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE? PROBABLY!
All our services are available for any past or present members of UK fire and rescue service personnel, whatever your role. Furthermore, works firefighters, MoD and airport firefighters, fire service volunteers and dependants are all also eligible.
You can find out more at www.firefighterscharity.org. uk/eligibility or call us on 0800 3898820 and we’ll chat it through with you.
JOIN A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMME
Alongside our usual physical rehabilitation, Reset, nursing and Rest and Recharge stays, we’re holding a number of specialised programmes at our three centres throughout 2025.
From Kickstart Your Fitness programmes to family weeks, a programme aimed at those living with earlystage dementia and more, it’s worth seeing if any would benefit you in the coming months.
Scan the QR code at the top of the page for details of upcoming programmes.
JOIN A HOPE PROGRAMME
We know that finding time in the day can be tricky, so we’re offering you the opportunity to join a self-directed online wellbeing programme in 2025 to help you with feelings of stress or anxiety.
The Hope Programme can be taken completely at your own pace and you can remain anonymous throughout.
Scan the QR code at the top of this page to see all our upcoming dates.
JOIN OUR BENEFICIARY EXPERIENCE PANEL
We want to make sure that your opinions, thoughts and preferences are at the heart of everything we do, so why not take part in our Beneficiary Experience Panel in 2025, to help shape the future of your charity?
If you’re an eligible beneficiary, you can join the Panel and take part in focus groups, surveys and discussions. Find out more via the QR code at the top of the page.
BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TOGETHER FOR A FUNDRAISER
Planning an event or challenge in aid of us is a fantastic way to bring your colleagues, friends and family together, while helping to raise funds for us. Every penny you raise really does make a huge difference to the lives of other members of our fire services community across the UK.
You can find ideas to get you started via the QR code.
EAT WELL IN 2025
Achieving a nutritious but enjoyable diet doesn’t have to be difficult and we have some great resources to help you eat healthier.
Our Head Chef at Jubilee House, David Lancaster, has shared some of his favourites you can try from home, check them out via the QR code.
VOLUNTEER FOR US
Volunteering is an enjoyable way of making a vital contribution to the work we do with our fire services community.
Why not join us this year? We have opportunities in our Stables Café at Harcombe House, at our centres, online and over the phone. Find out more about opportunities via the QR code.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING
Are you experiencing feelings of anxiety or low mood this new year?
Why not try our self-assessment tool? Developed in partnership with Rightsteps, it’s there to help you decide whether you’d benefit from further support and information.
Find out more and give it a go via the QR code.
‘FUN’RAISING THE BAR
Our supporters went above and beyond to raise thousands of pounds for us in 2024… Now, we have even more fantastic opportunities for you to get involved in the coming year.
To find out more about all of these ideas and more for 2025, scan the QR code or visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/fundraising-2025
BAG IT AND BANK IT
Our Bag it and Bank it recycling campaign is returning in January 2025 and, following last year’s success where our supporters raised a recordbreaking £101,524 from 487 tonnes of donated clothing, we’re encouraging you and your stations to collect even more this time round.
Could we beat the record once again? Find out more via the QR code above.
FIRE FAMILY FUNDRAISER
When it comes to planning a Fire Family Fundraiser, the world truly is your oyster! Whether you want to take on a personal or group challenge such as a walk, run, cycle or climb, or you’d rather get colleagues, friends, family and communities together for an event, every penny raised goes directly towards supporting our vital work.
EVENTS
MEGA MARCH
We saw some incredible Car Washes to mark Mega March 2024, with stations and sites across the UK welcoming communities in to raise vital funds for us. Now, we’re asking you to once again get the sponges out and plan ahead for March 2025 with even more fantastic Car Washes.
OPEN DAYS
Planning a fire station Open Day is a great opportunity to raise funds while having fun with families from your local community.
You can organise raffles, firefighting demonstrations, food stalls, bake sales – you name it. And don’t forget to reach out to local businesses to see if they’d be open to supporting your event with prizes or donations too.
GIFTS
Visit our gift shop for a regularly updated range of charity gifts and merchandise.
Whether you run, swim, walk, bike or bake, there’s bound to be a fundraising event for you.
We have opportunities for you to join Ultra Challenges, Santa Dashes, kilt walks, marathons and much more, as well as guidance to help you plan personal challenges such as skydives and mountain climbs.
HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR AMAZING FUNDRAISING STARS:
“We planned a bike ride to say thank you to the firefighters who saved my sons’ lives following a house fire” - Sarah
“I always think, firefighters help us in our hour of need, but who’s helping them? And that’s what I see your charity’s role as being. Every penny I raise will make such a difference” – Hannah
“You helped me after a life-changing cycle crash… as a family, we’ve always fundraised, and now that’s filtered to my two sons too” – Lee
“The spirit and zest for life that our friend Stu demonstrated in the latter months and weeks of his life, especially his dedication to the Fire Fighters Charity, is something we want to continue” – Spencer
SELF AWARE
Retired Watch Manager, Martin Aldred, shares how we’ve supported both his physical and mental health– and why taking the time to look after yourself, early, can pay dividends in the long run.
Martin Aldred spent more than 30 years as an operational firefighter, working under pressure on a daily basis – yet never felt he needed support for his mental wellbeing until recently, when he suffered a mini stroke while playing football. It highlighted to him just how important it is to take steps throughout your career to boost your wellbeing, so you’re prepared for when things go wrong… something he wishes he’d done years ago.
Martin, who worked across Surrey and Nottinghamshire FRSs before retiring in 2020, says: “I had an artery dissection after heading a football, which caused a mini stroke in January 2024. This type of stroke, I found out later, physically causes anxiety, and after a few months I was really struggling mentally, so I got in touch with the charity to see what support they could offer.”
Martin was offered a place on our Reset Programme at Harcombe House in June 2024 and, before going, he also took part in our online Hope Programme, aimed at combatting stress and anxiety.
“It’s all at your own pace, so you can just do it when you can – some days you’ll do 10 minutes, some days up to an hour,” he says. “It’s fully facilitated so if you have any issues, they get back to you straight away, and you can also chat to others doing it. I found it immensely helpful.
“Like a lot of people in the fire service, you never think about your own mental health. We’re very good at helping other people, but when it comes to yourself you think you can cope… I got to the stage that, despite the support from my friends including ex-colleagues, and family, I realised I wasn’t coping, and I couldn’t without any professional help.”
Martin went on to attend our Reset Programme shortly after, which is aimed at boosting resilience and mental wellbeing.
“It was amazing,” he adds. “To talk with likeminded people who were going through similar things to me was really helpful. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without going on that programme.
“I think the fire service is one big family, it doesn’t matter where you come from, you meet some really decent people. Talking is an immense help, for any problem you might get, and I think the friendship group I made there will last forever.”
After attending the Reset Programme, Martin kept in touch with our physiotherapy team and was invited for a week’s rehabilitation stay at Jubilee House later in the year, which he says gave him a huge confidence boost to work on his fitness again.
As a final message to anyone reading his story, Martin says: “It’s really important that members of the fire service engage in mental health activities, don’t leave it like me where you have a full career, always thinking you don’t get stressed, nothing phases you, and then as soon as you’re ill it just opens a new world to you.
“I’d encourage everyone, annually at least, to do some sort of mental health or mindfulness activity. There’s so much available online. Remember to prioritise your own welfare, not just that of others.”
He adds: “I’d also encourage anyone to support the charity in any way they can, whether it’s playing the Fire Fighters Lottery, buying items from the Shop or donating money. It’s a charity, it needs the funds to keep these programmes going.”
“It was amazing. To talk with likeminded people that were going through similar things to me was really helpful. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without going on that programme.”
