In this month's episode of the Shout! Podcast, we're celebrating the incredible volunteers who are the heart of Fire Fighters Charity.

Join Rebecca as she shines a light on the wide range of volunteering opportunities available and explores the profound impact volunteering has – not just on our charity and its service users, but on the volunteers themselves.

Hear inspiring stories from volunteers and supporters who share their experiences of giving back and making a real difference.

🔗 Interested in volunteering? Find out more and apply today
🔗 Access support: Apply for our services

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
Rebecca welcomes listeners and introduces this month's focus on the power of volunteering.

01:15 – Exploring Volunteering Opportunities
Rebecca Webster, Organisational Development and People Partner, discusses the wide range of volunteering roles available, including visitor services and gardening support.

11:30 – Gardening for Wellbeing: Jonny Hincks' Story
Firefighter Jonny Hincks shares how gardening improved his mental wellbeing – and why he encourages others to volunteer outdoors.

20:10 – Visitor Services Volunteering at Jubilee House: Mike Harris' Experience
Retired firefighter Mike Harris reflects on his rewarding experience as a Visitor Services volunteer and the vital role volunteers play in welcoming service users.

27:00 – Fundraising and Volunteering in Scotland: Kayleigh McInnes' Journey
Watch Commander and Company Member, Kayleigh McInnes, talks about her fundraising efforts, volunteering roles and the community spirit she’s helped foster through her work.

31:00 – Final Thoughts and How to Get Involved
Rebecca rounds up the episode and shares how you can find out more about volunteering or tell your own story.

Key Takeaways

• Volunteering makes a real difference to the lives of fire and rescue service personnel and their families.
• Roles include visitor services, gardening, telephone befriending, and more.
• Volunteering can help you gain new skills, meet new people, and support your own wellbeing.
• Every volunteer contribution – big or small – is valued and celebrated.

Get Involved

Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to take on a regular role, your support means the world to us.
 👉 Find your perfect volunteer role

Already volunteering or fundraising? We'd love to hear from you!
 👉 Share your story

Need support for yourself or someone you know?
 👉 Access our services

🎧 Don't miss an episode: Remember to rate, follow or subscribe on your usual podcast platform to stay up to date with the latest from Shout!

Support the show

Relationships Podcast: Show notes

In the next episode of our Shout!Podcast, we hear from four members of our fire services community about how they juggle family life and relationships with their busy roles – both past and present.

It comes as we launch a Thriving Relationships Survey to help shape future support for couples across our fire family.

Firstly, Robyn, a Watch Manager in Control with Hampshire and Isle of Wight FRS, shares an insight into some of the demands that come with her role, and her own perspective on balancing those with her family life.

Then Richard, a Station Manager with Norfolk FRS, shares how he and his partner Janine – who also works in the fire service – juggle their busy work and personal lives together.

Following that, Iwan, an on-call firefighter with Mid and West Wales FRS, chats about some of his personal experiences of juggling his busy working life with being a husband and a father of two young boys… 

And finally, I chat with Fiona, who was with West Sussex FRS for 18 years in a support role and also worked as an on-call firefighter for five of those years. She shares how she managed a busy working life with having a daughter at Primary School around that time.

If these interviews resonate with you, remember our Support Line is always available: 0800 3898820. Be sure to follow or subscribe to the Shout!Podcast to stay updated with our latest episodes.

Chapters:

(00:00) Shout podcast features interviews with firefighters about balancing work and family life

(01:12) Robin Richardson is Watch Manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

(09:05) Richard from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service talks about juggling work and family life.

(18:35) One role in the fire service comes with its own unique pressures, and chatting to us about that is Iwan from Mid and West Wales FRS.

(31:15) Fiona was with West Sussex Fire and rescue service for 18 years in a support role and also worked as an On Call firefighter for 5 of those years.

 Important links:

• Find out more about Fire Fighters Charity: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk.
• Take part in our Thriving Relationships Survey: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/relationship-survey-podcast 
• Seek support from Fire Fighters Charity: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/need-help or call the Support Line directly on: 0800 3898820.
• Visit our Family Hub: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/how-we-can-help/the-family-hub 
• Find out more about our mental health support: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/how-we-can-help/mental-health 
• Robyn’s story: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/case_study/robyn-richardson
• Iwan’s story: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/case_study/iwan-ward 
• Get in touch with the show by emailing: [email protected]

Support the show

March 8 marks International Women's Day and we're celebrating alongside millions across the globe with a special episode of our Shout!Podcast.

We hear from four women who share their own experiences in their roles and, in one case, of receiving life-changing support from us.

Listen to the episode

Kath Billing, Chief Fire Officer of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, starts the episode by talking about her journey through the fire service and what it’s like leading in her role today.

Then, Tess Churchill, Wellbeing Coordinator for Surrey and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Services, opens up about her recovery from ovarian cancer and the support she received from us - marking Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

And later, we chat with our Administration Team Leader, Sandra Harrison, and Clinical Assistant, Lucy Milton, who are two of our dedicated team members at Jubilee House, our centre in Cumbria, as they celebrate an incredible 30 years with the charity.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Honouring International Women’s Day with four inspiring voices from the fire service

01:17 – Cath Billing on her journey to becoming Chief Fire Officer 

16:27 – Tess Churchill on her role as a Wellbeing Coordinator and raising awareness during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 

31:01 – Sandra and Lucy celebrate 30 years at Jubilee House 

If these stories resonate with you, remember our Support Line is always available: 0800 3898820. Be sure to follow or subscribe to the Shout!Podcast to stay updated with our latest episodes.

Support the show

We hope you enjoy episode 2 of our Shout!Podcast, where we reflect on the last year and look ahead at some of the exciting things we have planned in 2025 – both across our health and wellbeing support, and fundraising.

Rebecca, our Content Editor, chats with one of our 2025 London Marathon runners, Sam, a firefighter with London Fire Brigade, who shares how we supported him with both his physical and mental health. 

She goes on to speak to the CEO of one of our recycling partners, Owen Ritchie, to find out exactly what happens to your clothes when they’re recycled – before looking ahead at our upcoming Bag it and Bank it campaign.

And finally, she chats with our Chief Executive, Sherine Wheeler, about some of the highlights from her time with our charity so far, as well as taking a deeper dive into the key health and wellbeing challenges facing out fire services community today.

If these interviews resonate with you, remember our Support Line is always available: 0800 3898820. Be sure to follow or subscribe to the Shout!Podcast to stay updated with our latest episodes.

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome to Episode 2

01:15 - Meet Sam, an LFB firefighter who received our support

02:56 - Sam shares his experience of our support

07:11 - Sam discusses importance of reaching out early

10:34 - Sam shares his plans to run the London Marathon

12:10 - Meet Owen Ritchie, CEO of Clyde Recycling

15:45 - What can be donated to Fire Fighters Charity's recycling banks?

17:44 - Support our 2025 Bag it and Bank it campaign

19:08 - Meet Sherine Wheeler, Chief Executive of Fire Fighters Charity

23:06 - Key health and wellbeing challenges in the fire service

24:08 - How fire services are changing and evolving

28:17 - Sherine's personal take on New Year's Resolutions

Important links

• Find out more about Fire Fighters Charity: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk.
• Seek support from Fire Fighters Charity: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/need-help or call the Support Line directly on: 0800 3898820.
• Find out more about our Reset Programme: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/reset as well as our further mental health support: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/how-we-can-help/mental-health 
• Find out more about recycling for Fire Fighters Charity: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/recycle and find your nearest clothing bank on our map: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/recyclemap. 
• Find out more about fundraising for Fire Fighters Charity: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/fundraising.
• Get in touch with the show by emailing: [email protected].
• Read the full transcript: XX

Support the show

Join us for the first in a new season of episodes of the Shout!Podcast, where we delve into the realities faced by men in the fire service during Men's Health Month.
 
Rebecca, our Content Editor, brings you candid conversations with three beneficiaries of Fire Fighters Charity, each sharing their personal journeys through mental health challenges and physical health battles.

First, we hear from Dean, a firefighter with London Fire Brigade, who opens up about his own mental health challenges and the stigma surrounding men's mental health in the emergency services. Dean shares how his experiences led to the creation of Walk and Talk 999, a support network aimed at encouraging open dialogue among male colleagues.

Next, Gee from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service recounts his mental health journey and how reaching out for support made a significant difference to his recovery. He emphasises the importance of recognising early signs and the value of proactive mental health education.

Finally, we chat with George from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, who bravely shares his journey through a testicular cancer diagnosis and recovery. George highlights the need for men to be vigilant about their physical health and the benefits of seeking support during challenging times.

If these stories resonate with you, remember our Support Line is always available: 0800 3898820. Be sure to follow or subscribe to the Shout!Podcast to stay updated with our latest episodes.

Chapters

00:00:00 " Welcome to Shout! Podcast

00:01:12 " Dean's story

00:09:54 " Mental health stigma

00:12:12 " Getting help before you need it

00:17:05 " Gee's story

00:20:41 " Reaching out for help

00:29:54 " George's story

00:33:56 " Coping mechanisms

00:34:57 " Spreading awareness of testicular cancer among men

00:38:32 " Talking to others affected by cancer

00:40:23 " Get in touch with Shout! Podcast

Important links

• Find out more about Fire Fighters Charity: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk 
• Seek support from Fire Fighters Charity: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/need-help or call the Support Line directly on: 0800 3898820.
• Find out more about the Reset Programme: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/reset 
• Get in touch with the show by emailing: [email protected]
• Read the full transcript: https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/shout-mens-health

Support the show

We hear from a group of on-call firefighters, based at Pitlochry Fire Station in Scotland, as they discuss the unique pressures on-call firefighters face and the toll they can have on their mental health, as well as the difficulties of juggling their work with family life.

Support the show

Our Wellness and Behaviour Change Coaches, AJ Whitaker and Sally Walker, continue their discussion around peri-menopause and menopause and share their personal experiences, as well as common symptoms to expect.

You can see more information on key symptoms, impacts and tips here, and key coping strategies here. You can also join a dedicated menopause group in My Fire Fighters Charity, to chat to like-minded others and share experiences. Register and join here.

Support the show

In a particularly candid chat, our Wellness and Behaviour Change Coaches, AJ Whitaker and Sally Walker, share some of their personal experiences of menopause and discuss everything from brain fog to HRT and the early symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause. 

You can see more information on key symptoms, impacts and tips here, and key coping strategies here. You can also join a dedicated menopause group in My Fire Fighters Charity, to chat to like-minded others and share experiences. Register and join here.

Support the show

Maintaining healthy joints is of the utmost importance when it comes to overall wellbeing, particularly in the fire and rescue service. So, in this week’s Shout!Podcast we’re discussing tips to look after your joints, whatever your age, and the importance of having a positive mindset throughout.

We speak to the Charity’s Wellness and Behaviour Change Coach, Mike Lennon, about how to stay positive while dealing with pain, particularly in the run-up to surgery. Mike shares some simple strategies as well as explaining how a positive attitude can help in recovery.

Next we chat to beneficiary Keith Walkington, who is an Operational Watch Manager with Humberside FRS. He began suffering with osteoarthritis in his right hip joint a few years ago. When it began affecting his day-to-day work and life, he underwent a hip replacement and the Charity supported him in his recovery afterwards. 

Finally Exercise Therapist Craig Williamson and Physiotherapist Peter Raistrick discuss arthritis and how it can impact people in different ways and at different point in life. They share positive steps our beneficiaries can take to help them lead a healthy lifestyle throughout.

And we have a special Podcast Plus this week, as Clinical Assistant Sabrina Langley guides us through a relaxation exercise.

Support the show

Sabrina Langley guides us through a relaxation exercise

Support the show