Red Watch provide festive entertainment for locals

Acton Fire Station's Red Watch organised a festive party for dozens of locals in a bid to to combat loneliness and help mental health and well being in the Borough.

It's their 5th Tea party in 18th months and similar events  are planned for next year.

The idea came as a result of their regular home fire safety visits when Firefighters provide free smoke alarms and highlight any potential fire risks in the property, especially for the most vunerable. The visit also includes vital fire safety information tailored to individual needs.

Whilst carrying out these visit a common theme was noticed - elderly, isolated residents telling crews how lonely they were. Red Watch decided to do something about it and put on their first tea party in Aug 2017.

Kim Jerray-Silver, Red Watch Manager said: '' In order to get our less abled residents to our parties I contacted Ealing Community Transport (ECT) who kindly now support our events and provide mini buses for each tea party. We have also formed a great partnership with Neighbourly care and Michael Flanders centre who also invite guests on our behalf.

''Not only do our guests have all the cake and tea they can eat they also get to chat to our firefighters and receive information/awareness on other services available to them such as the Healthy Homes Green Doctor and other partner and local authority services.''

This free home visit service is available to all residents in London with the aim to reduce the risk of fires in the home. Visit the LFB website for further information  

Visits can be requested by calling us on 0800 028 4428, email smokealarms@london-fire.gov.uk, or text 07860 021319.

19th December 2018