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.”
If you feel you’d benefit from our health and wellbeing support, you can call our Support Line on 0800 389 8820, make an enquiry online or visit the ‘Access Support’ tab in My Fire Fighters Charity.
And remember – if you’re feeling suicidal, you can call our Crisis Line 24 hours a day on 0300 373 0896.