insideKENT Magazine Issue 81 - December 2018 | Page 162

CHARITY
KENT FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
SHOW YOU CARE
CHERYL BAKER’S TEAMED UP WITH KENT FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
(KFRS) TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTY TO THINK ABOUT
PEOPLE LIVING ALONE WHO MIGHT NEED A BIT OF EXTRA SUPPORT THIS
WINTER, ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY, YOUNG PARENTS OR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES. THE SHOW YOU CARE CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT KEEPING PEOPLE
SAFE AND WELL AND REDUCING FIRE RISK IN THEIR HOME. WE SPOKE TO
CHERYL TO FIND OUT MORE.
Hi Cheryl, why are you working with Kent Fire
and Rescue Service?
I’m delighted to be working with the team at KFRS
– my local fire service – for something so important.
Their work is so diverse and involves so much more
than just putting out fires and rescuing people. They
really care about people through their free ‘Safe and
Well Visits’ and the support they give to people who
need it most.
What is ‘Show You Care’ all about?
We’re all connected to someone who spends long
periods on their own; be it a neighbour or a member
of the family, and also someone less mobile than
they used to be, or a young parent. It’s so important
to try and do what we can to help people feel cared
for and valued in our lives by popping in to say hello,
and to spend time with them. We can all do our bit
and that’s what this campaign is all about.
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Why is it important to get involved? GET INVOLVED
I’m amazed in our county over 40 thousand
people over 65 are living in isolation and spend
long periods alone. This is about trying to
change that – a weekly visit could make such
a difference to someone’s life. Search KFRS Show you Care
or call 0800 923 7000
How can people get involved?
It’s easy; just think about someone who’d
benefit from seeing a friendly face - reach out
to them. While you’re there look out for things
that could pose a fire risk like checking the
smoke alarm works, cleaning the hob or look
for overloaded sockets – follow KFRS’ ‘Simple
STEPS’ to help. The fire service can also help
them with a free Safe and Well visit too – just
get in touch to book one. Please take action
and show you care - thank you.
kentfirerescue