As our Trustees, Company Members and Senior Leadership Team meet for our Annual General Meeting (AGM), we’re delighted to share our Annual Report with you, highlights some of our work over 2023/24.
In the report, we share a message from our Chief Executive, Sherine Wheeler, as well as our Chair of our Board of Trustees, John Baines, and highlight some key support stats from across the year. We also share our vision for the year ahead, hear first-hand from some of the individuals we’ve helped and reflect on some of the fundraising and income highlights from the last year.
Our Chief Executive, Sherine Wheeler, says: “For over 80 years, we have been at the heart of fire and rescue service communities across the UK, working alongside Services to provide health and wellbeing care, advice, and support – a lifeline to thousands of fire family members.
“What sets us apart is our understanding of the unique challenges faced by the fire and rescue services community. This enables our expert, independent, and confidential care to relieve the pressures emergency service workers face and alleviate the lasting impacts on their health, wellbeing, and families.
“I’m proud of the high-quality services we provide and our teams who go above and beyond to ensure our fire family has access to the rehabilitation, recuperation, and rest they need through clinical physical, psychological, and nursing care. Our services extend to specialised health and social wellbeing coaching, tailored to various needs, such as women’s health, new recruits, those transitioning into retirement, and the bereaved. We also provide practical support, information, and advice to help fire and rescue services community members live healthier and happier lives.”
She adds: “In the years ahead, through renewed clarity, focus, and evidence-based approaches, we will improve and develop our services, working to prevent poor health and wellbeing outcomes as early as possible.”
Elsewhere in the report, some of our beneficiaries bravely share their experiences of suicide, to highlight the importance of our Crisis Line.
John Baines says: “In 2023/24, we continued to evolve and adapt our service offering. The launch of our Crisis Line in November 2023 was a shining example of the way our services meet the needs of our community. This has been evident throughout our history and, as suicide sadly continues to impact far too many families and fire and rescue services across the UK, it is only right that we provide whatever support we can for people in crisis. While, of course, I wish no one would ever have to ring our Crisis Line, I have been heartened to hear how many people it has been able to help during the first few months of operation.”
