A partnership looking out for the vulnerable in our communities

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are working together to make sure the most vulnerable and isolated in our Scottish communities stay safe and healthy.
Tracey Groom, Kindness Project Lead at CHSS, and the Kilsyth Fire & Rescue team showing their support for the partnership.Tracey Groom, Kindness Project Lead at CHSS, and the Kilsyth Fire & Rescue team showing their support for the partnership.
Tracey Groom, Kindness Project Lead at CHSS, and the Kilsyth Fire & Rescue team showing their support for the partnership.

Both organisations, who are on the front line, are protecting and supporting people who are vulnerable and isolating in their homes right now. They have teamed up in order to reach more people through their networks to ensure that our communities are safer and to tackle isolation and loneliness.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is working hard in communities across Scotland to protect people and ensure that they stay safe as they spend more time at home. They have been providing their Home Fire Safety Checklist to those who are more vulnerable and at higher risk.

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Through the partnership, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be identifying people in the community who could benefit from the Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Kindness Project.

The charity has more than 5,000 Kindness Volunteers, who are supporting people through regular kindness phone calls, collection of medication or shopping or dog walking. Many people at present are feeling lonely and isolated. The aim of the project is to keep people safe and well in their own homes.

Alasdair Perry, Head of Prevention and Protection at Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. Through our community safety work, we are routinely engaging with communities across Scotland. We want to identify and support those most at risk of fire.

“This includes individuals with underlying health conditions, people living alone, and people in receipt of services from other partners. These are individuals and households that would also benefit from the services of the Kindness Project and it is an ideal opportunity for us to link up and provide support during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

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“In return, the Kindness Volunteers can help share our important fire safety messages and help us to reach those most at risk who may benefit from a Home Fire Safety Visit.”

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to make sure we can reach as many people across Scotland who desperately need our help.

“It is so important to keep our communities safe right now. Many people are feeling lonely and isolated and our Kindness Project is there for anyone who needs it. Our volunteers are helping people stay safe and well in their own homes.

“It is great to be working in partnership with them to make sure no one fights coronavirus alone.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Kindness Project call their Advice Line on 0808 801 0899 or visit here.

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