When I joined Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in 2003 I quickly realised that a heart for the well-being of the community is a real motivator for many people working in the public sector. After working in a local admin team for 7 years I’m now the Community Liaison Officer for the county and I’m privileged to be a part of a vision in our Service to see community engagement expand to try to address issues faced by communities today which lead to people being left isolated, hurt and vulnerable.
Passion for people is a real common link between many public organisations and faith groups so when I heard about ROC and how it’s working to bring churches, Police Forces, Fire and Rescue Services and other agencies together to find creative and innovative ways to bring about social transformation, I saw pieces of a jigsaw moving into place. I know that police officers, firefighters and social workers have amazing skills and talents when it comes to dealing with people, solving problems and making things happen. I know that people of faith have commitment and motivation to love and care for people and see their needs met. Bring the two together and what a catalyst for change, what an opportunity to impact a community!
I attended the
ROC Ambassadors Conference in May 2011 to find out more and investigate whether through ROC, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service could work more closely with the faith community. We have brilliant new community facilities at many of our fire station across the county and encourage community and voluntary groups and partners to use them for meetings, training, delivering services. Our aim is to support the community in as many ways as possible to help to make it stronger and safer and we’re always looking out for new partnerships to help us come into contact with the most vulnerable. So, it’s just the right time to partner with ROC and the local churches;
ROC Care,
ROC Café, ROC Garden,
ROC Families – the possibilities to work together are endless.
My personal vision for ROC in Staffordshire is that it would help the church to step forward into its rightful place in society as a vibrant and relevant body of people who sincerely care about their neighbours and their wider community and are willing to use whatever they have to serve with integrity and passion.
ROC with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is at the beginning of a journey. Who knows where it will end!
For more information on how YOU can become a ROC Ambassador, click here.
