The success of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s ground-breaking safety scheme with housing association Cartrefi Conwy continues with a new support worker being appointed to help protect residents from fires in their homes.

Home Safety Support Worker Deri Cottle brings with him a wealth of experience gained from over 17 years of working within the Community Safety Department of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The partnership, initially piloted seven years ago, provides a jointly funded Home Safety Support Worker tasked with reducing the number of fires in Cartrefi Conwy properties.

Cartrefi Conwy is a housing association with over 4000 homes. They are committed to the growth and improvement of communities by investing in the future of tenants and their homes

Simon Bromley, Head of Community Fire Safety for Conwy and Denbighshire, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, explains more:

“Deri’s main role is to promote and undertake Safe and Well Checks with Cartrefi Conwy tenants. Many of these tenants are elderly or vulnerable people - and our advice and support can make a real difference to their safety.

“A Safe and Well Check is a way for us to help occupiers identify potential hazards within their home, and assist in reducing the associated risks. Deri can provide advice on how to stay safe from fire, and can supply a range of free interventions to help with this. We can also help in making an escape plan, so that in the event of an emergency, everyone in the home will have the best possible chance of evacuating the property, as quickly and safely as possible.

“These interactions also provide residents with the opportunity to raise any general home safety concerns, such as those relating to slip, trips and falls, have their smoke alarms tested, and receive electrical safety advice.

“All new tenants receive a check, and we work closely with Tenancy Support Officers to help improve the safety of any potentially vulnerable residents. In all, around 500 checks are undertaken in Cartrefi Conwy properties through the scheme every year.

“Having Deri’s role embedded in the organisation also helps us offer advice to Cartrefi Conwy and help identify any emerging trends.

“I am extremely proud of the close working relationship we have developed over many years with Cartrefi Conwy. It’s great to see Deri continuing this good work, offering the residents the benefit of his vast experience of undertaking safe and well checks. Deri is passionate about keeping his community safe, and it a perfect fit for this role which is all about working together to protect our communities.”

Deri said: “This role is a great opportunity to engage with potentially vulnerable residents, making a real difference to their safety.

“Working in partnership in this way allows us to meet tenants face to face in their homes, and the consistency of having one person in the role allows us to make connections with the residents and identify any potential issues.”

Group Chief Executive, Andrew Bowden, from Cartrefi Conwy added: "We are delighted to have Deri on board with us and are proud of how this partnership has evolved.

"We’ve been working alongside North Wales Fire and Rescue Service for many years and having an in-house specialist really does give our tenants the peace of mind and reassurance that we take their health and safety very seriously. Working alongside our Tenancy Support Officers, Deri will provide invaluable support to our most vulnerable tenants."