Avon Fire & Rescue Service Highlights Everyday Wellbeing During Mental Health Awareness Week

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is marking Mental Health Awareness Week by encouraging both staff and the wider community to take simple, meaningful steps to support their wellbeing.

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, running from 11th to 17th May, focuses on the power of small practical actions that help people feel more hopeful and connected. The national campaign is led by the Mental Health Foundation.

As part of the week’s activity, Avon Fire & Rescue Service has released a new episode of its mental health podcast, Ignite the Conversation.

Episode two features Louise, a Crew Manager within the service, speaking candidly with hosts Lee and Warren about her experiences working in the fire service, the pressures of the role and the moments that made her reassess her own wellbeing.

The episode aims to encourage open conversations around mental health and help challenge stigma, particularly within emergency services environments where difficult experiences and high pressure situations can often become part of everyday life.

Alongside the podcast, the service is also releasing a short video featuring staff members sharing the everyday habits and routines that help support their mental wellbeing. Suggestions range from spending time outdoors and keeping active to talking openly with colleagues and setting healthy boundaries.

Zuzana Bond, Wellbeing and Fitness Team Lead at Avon Fire & Rescue Service, said everyday actions can make a significant difference.

She said: “Small, consistent things, checking in with each other, speaking openly, taking time to reset and asking for support when needed, making healthy choices where possible, help us stay grounded, connected and resilient.”

The service says it hopes the campaign will encourage both staff and the public to reflect on their own wellbeing and continue conversations around mental health beyond awareness week itself.

New episodes of Ignite the Conversation are released every three months and the latest episode is available now across major streaming platforms including Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.

Spotify podcast link

YouTube episode link