AVON and Fire Rescue Service has put a creative new design on the side of two fire engines to raise awareness of mental health and encourage people who need support to reach out. 

The artwork has been created in partnership with Bristol Mind, an independent charity affiliated to the national mental health charity, Mind.

It depicts a firefighter who may be experiencing mental ill-health and shares the messaging: “We are all powerful, strong and resilient but sometimes we struggle.”

The message aims to show that although you can appear one way on the outside professionally or in your personal life – you might not feel the same way inside.

AF&RS has wrapped two fire appliances with the new design. One is based at Temple Fire Station in Bristol and the other in Bath.  

Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton said: “Raising awareness of mental health and making sure our staff have the support they need is hugely important to me and the wider Service. Over the years, we continue to make strides in breaking the stigma of mental health and this campaign plays a part in that.  

“Having served on the frontline, I know what our staff see regularly, so it’s about protecting them with a range of resources in place, managed by our Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team.

“By teaming up with Bath and Bristol Mind, we hope that this truck wrapping encourages our communities to seek help for their mental health if needed.” 

With the design having been produced with the help of Temple Green Watch and Bath Blue Watch, Watch Manager Rich Wheeler at Bath said: “Our aim has been to promote a positive take on mental Health, and to encourage people to talk and seek help if required.  

“AF&RS is built on strong foundations where we strive to be the best, work courageously in our actions and ambitions, however the need to be transparent with our mental health, and inclusive in supporting each other is one of main priorities.

“We are hoping to showcase that having these feelings are normal, and talking about them is a positive step, and nothing to hold back from.” 

Adam Bladwell, Head of Partnerships and Development at Bristol Mind, said: “People need support with their mental health now more than ever.

“Working with AF&RS will raise awareness and help individuals who are experiencing a mental health problem to seek advice and support if they need it.” 

Bristol Mind offers a wide range of services, and their mission is to provide advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem in the area, wherever they are in their journey to good mental health. They are the positive voice of mental health and wellbeing.  

The truck wrapping comes as part of the Service’s wider campaign to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing during Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May).

During the week, AF&RS will be sharing stories from staff on their experiences of mental health and a time when they have appeared and/or powerful, strong and resilient but may have been struggling.

These will be shared across social media and on AF&RS’s YesYouCan careers website.  

Visit the Bristol Mind website for information about the services provided.

You can contact their Information and Signposting Service by calling 0117 980 0370 or by emailing info@bristolmind.org.uk.