A new scheme will see firefighters trained in how to deal with people with memory issues and charity workers learn how to help people improve fire safety at home.
Estuary League of Friends' activities across parts of Exeter and East Devon include visiting clients in their homes to carry out services ranging from helping them get their meals and shopping, to taking them to day centres and lunch clubs.
Now, thanks to the initiative from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, staff at the charity will also be trained to identify if a client's home needs additional safety facilities such as smoke alarms, or the removal of flammable objects which may get in the way of people escaping a fire.
"It's an obvious add-on to the services we provide," said Estuary's chief executive Rachel Gilpin. "Many of our 1,300 clients are at home most or all of the time and we can sometimes be their only visitor or help. They trust us to signpost them to local expertise.
"After being trained, our staff can arrange a home fire safety visit from the fire service."
In return, fire service staff will receive training on how to identify and work with people who have Alzheimer's disease or other memory issues.
Estuary has a number of clients with memory-related issues, and the charity offers support to them and their carers through holding regular Memory Cafes and advice sessions, as well as including these clients in other activities such as day centres and social trips.
Rachel added: "One of the biggest obstacles facing those with memory-related issues is the fact that few people in the community have the knowledge or confidence to deal with them sensitively. Our training is a small step in that direction."
Estuary League of Friends started in 1987 and operates around parts of Exeter, Ebford, Exton, Cat & Fiddle, Clyst St Mary, Clyst St George and Countess Wear as well as Topsham, where it is based.
