Over 50’s in Farnworth will benefit from a free warm space and home fire safety advice at Farnworth Community Fire Station in Albert Road.
Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have joined forces to provide a warm space initiative for local residents.
The community-led resource, set up by Station Manager Carl Haslam and Public Health Community Facilitator Rebecca Estcourt, was introduced to not only provide a warm space during the cost of living crisis but to also reduce social isolation and to give vital advice on fire safety in the home.
The first session has taken place and was well received by local members of the community, who enjoyed a warm drink, a chat with other people that lived nearby and learned how to keep their homes safe.
GMFRS Station Manager at Farnworth Community Fire Station, Carl Haslam, said:
“Working with our partners at Bolton Council we are pleased to welcome members of our local community into Farnworth Community Fire Station to keep warm for a few hours each week while learning about fire safety in the home.
“Each Wednesday afternoon for the foreseeable future we are offering a warm space for people to come together to have a warm drink and we will be talking with those booked on the sessions about staying safe at home.
“We have access to computers so as well as talk about fire safety and answer any questions we can help people complete a Home Fire Safety Check - which may lead to a visit from our colleagues or additional online advice.”
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Baines, said:
“It’s great to see the community coming together to support each other and to take advantage of this warm space set up by Carl and Rebecca.
“As the cost of living continues to increase, it’s more important than ever that we look after ourselves, our family, friends and our neighbours.
“Local schemes like this, alongside other advice and support available from Bolton Council and partners, are key to enable residents to live healthier, happier lives.”
The warm space sessions will run on Wednesdays from 1pm – 2pm at Farnworth Community Fire Station, Albert Road, Farnworth BL4 9HF.
Places must be pre-booked by emailing r.estcourt@bolton.gov.uk or calling 07385955775.
Visit www.letskeepboltonmoving.co.uk to find out more.
To find more warm spaces visit the national Warm Spaces website at www.warmwelcome.uk/
For more information about the GMFRS campaign to stay fire safe visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/your-safety/stay-fire-safe