Firefighters in Bexleyheath are creating a mindfulness garden at Bexley Fire Station to help combat the stresses of the job.

The station, based on Erith Road, will soon have an additional area where around 50 firefighters can relax with colleagues and discuss any ongoing mental health concerns.

It will be based in a small area of the car park at the back of the station, and aims to be an area for switching off and relaxing during down time.

It is hoped that the garden will be finished by mid-August and members of the public can attend if they wish.

The Crayford and Sidcup branches of Selco Builders Warehouse have joined forces to support the project by providing the materials for the garden – including decking, timber and compost.

Rebecca Selwood, a firefighter at Bexley Fire Station, said: “There is plenty of research that firefighters suffer with mental health issues more than many other occupations because the nature of the job is stressful. And can be traumatic.

“Having an area where we can switch off and relax during some down time and talk about any issues with our peers will make a huge difference and we would also be happy to welcome members of the public to use it.

“We have a car park around the back of the station and will be using a small area of that to create the new garden.

“Selco providing the materials has made a huge difference and we are extremely grateful to them for their support.

“The firefighters will be building the garden and we hope to open it up in two to three weeks time and it will also be open for members of the public if they want to attend.”

Darryl Munday, branch manager of Selco Sidcup, said: “We are delighted to back this fantastic project and support a group of people who display bravery and do an incredible duty for the local community, day in, day out.

“As soon as we heard about the plans, we were only too happy to support the Bexley firefighters.

“At Selco, we are committed to supporting the communities in which we operate and this scheme exemplifies that.”

Selco’s Sidcup branch is based on Sandy Lane while the Crayford branch is situated on Kennet Road.

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