A scheme to improve the quality of life for some of South Yorkshire's most vulnerable residents has helped over 10,000 people since its launch three years ago.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue joined forces with local councils, the Pensions Service and the NHS on the Hot Spots programme to offer a range of support services including health, home safety and finance.

Through the Hot Spots programme residents are encouraged to take up additional services they may not already be aware of, with help offered on:

·         Energy saving - including installation of grant funded measures.

·         Home Safety Checks - including fire exit plan and smoke alarms.

·         Benefit Entitlement Checks - for people aged 60 and over

·         Stop smoking advice & support

SYFR's Steve Makepeace, who helped launch the scheme in August 2007, said: “The scheme draws on the knowledge and expertise of people who have direct contact with high-risk residents every single day.

“It is about working together to promote one another's services. For example, our firefighters recently visited the home of an elderly Rawmarsh man to carry out a home safety check. It was from that visit that he was put in touch with his local council and the Pensions Service, where he was able to claim free insulation and some benefits he didn't realise he was entitled to.”

Rotherham's Mayor Councillor Rose McNeely was at the recently opened Dearne fire station on Friday (9 July) to congratulate the partners involved in the Hot Spot scheme's success.

Hot Spots is funded by Rotherham NHS, Barnsley NHS, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, Rotherham Council and Doncaster Council.

Since its launch in August 2007, it has received over 15,000 referrals, benefitting over 10,000 vulnerable households.