FIRESIDE study
| FIRESIDE |
|
| Chief investigator: |
Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham, Dr Tom Kingstone (co-leading) |
| Co-investigator: |
Prof Saeed Farooq, Dr Nadia Corp (Keele University), Prof Paul Kingston (University of Chester), Prof Gary Spolander (Robert Gordon University), Mark Walchester (Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service) |
| Funder name and reference: |
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) ref: 201967 |
| Year: | 2021-2022 |
| Status: | Complete |
| FIRESIDE 2 |
|
| Chief investigator: | |
| Co-investigator: |
Prof Carolyn Chew-Graham (Keele University), Prof Priya Paudyal (Keele University), Prof Julius Sim (Keele University), Dr Jesse Kigozi (University of Birmingham), Dr Caroline Lee (Cambridge University), Dr Tamsin Fisher (Keele University), Dr Katie Saunders (Keele University), Mr Ged Devereux (National Fire Chiefs Council), Jane Southam, Samina Begum |
| Funder name and reference: |
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Three Schools Prevention |
| Year: | 2025-2026 |
| Status: | On-going |
Background
Many older adults (people 60 years or more) with symptoms of a common mental health problem (depression, anxiety) will delay seeking help from healthcare services. Wider public services not traditionally involved in health (e.g. police or fire and rescue) could provide crucial support to this population through their existing community roles. Interventions delivered by these services for other aspects of health (e.g. falls prevention) have shown good evidence. Interventions that target common mental health problems remain under-researched.
Design
FIRESIDE 1
A multi-method qualitative study. Observations of current “Safe & Well” programme, including home visits with older adults. Interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders (older adults, fire and rescue service workforce, health and social care providers and commissioners) to understand acceptability of utilising “Safe & Well” visits to detect and sign-post for mental health problems among older adults. Mixed stakeholder workshops.
FIRESIDE 2
Multi-phase, mixed methods study comprising intervention co-design and delivery with case study process evaluation. The intervention will comprise: a training package for FRS staff including communication strategies and referral guidelines, information resources for older adults to inform decision-making and agency, and a promotional campaign to raise awareness among key stakeholders (public, FRS, health and social care).
Objectives
FIRESIDE 1
To explore the current delivery model and content of Safe & Well visits in Staffordshire and examine broad-level acceptability of plans to extend visits to include mental health checks and sign-posting. To develop, through consensus with stakeholders, resources to support delivery of the new intervention.
FIRESIDE 2
To deliver and evaluate a Fire and Rescue Service-led intervention to facilitate help-seeking for anxiety and/or depression in community-dwelling older adults
Outputs
Delivery of an intervention to enable help-seeking for anxiety and depression in community dwelling older adults.
Publications
- Defining the Role of the Fire and Rescue Service in Mental Health Support for Older Adults: A Qualitative Study - Fisher - 2024 - Health Expectations - Wiley Online Library
- The acceptability of the Fire and Rescue Service working with primary care to improve identification of mental health problems in older adults. A mixed-method qualitative study | BJGP Open
