Farnworth warm space initiative

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Bolton Council have joined forces to provide a warm space initiative for residents in Farnworth.

The first weekly session took place on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, when members of the community who had booked a place enjoyed a warm drink and chat with other residents while also learning about home fire safety at Farnworth Community Fire Station in Albert Road. 

Station Manager Carl Haslam from Farnworth Community Fire Station and Rebbecca Estcourt, Community Facilitator for Public Health, Bolton Council introduced the local, community-led initiative to help people as the cost of living continues to increase.

l-r Mick Senior, Rebbecca Estcourt, Davina Jackson, Janet Jackson and Kate Bonser

GMFRS Station Manager Carl Haslam, Farnworth Community Fire Station, 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 a biscuit and are 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.”

As the cost of living continues to rise GMFRS wants to help residents ‘Stay Fire Safe’ at home and has launched a campaign to help keep people out of danger while heating and lighting their homes. Find out more about the campaign: https://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/your-safety/stay-fire-safe/ 

The 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 until 2pm at Farnworth Community Fire Station, Albert Road, Farnworth, BL4 9HF and it is essential that spaces are pre-booked. Please contact Rebbecca at r.estcourt@bolton.gov.uk to book your place or visit the Letskeepboltonmoving.co.uk website.

12/12/2022 11:18 AM