Volunteers who mobilised after the fires in Stourbridge have been praised by the Mayor of Dudley, Pete Lowe, who described their response as “truly astounding.” Dozens of families were displaced by the blaze on Thursday, August 13, with volunteers quickly gathering at Stourbridge Town Hall, Oldswinford Hospital School, and other sites across the area to support the emergency response.
As news of the fire spread, community groups and members of the public used social media to set up fundraising initiatives, organise donation drop-off points, and coordinate volunteers. The Prime Minister visited the town on Friday, August 14, and praised Stourbridge’s “sense of community.”
Community response called a lifeline
Mayor Lowe said the public’s response in the immediate aftermath of the fires near Stourbridge Golf Club was “truly astounding.” He described the community effort as “a lifeline for many affected,” adding that “in the very worst of times, we see the very best in people.”
In one instance, the town hall received an “unexpected donation of clothing,” and within 30 minutes the Mayor and Mayoress had organised “a full team of volunteers to sort out the kind donations ready to pass on to those that required it.”
Volunteers share their stories
Ella Johnson, 27, volunteered at Stourbridge Town Hall from 4pm on Thursday afternoon until 3am on Friday morning after watching the smoke spread from her garden. She helped document the details of people affected by the fires, ensuring that those without the medication they needed had their names recorded so they could access it when a GP became available.
At one point, the town hall ran out of hi-vis jackets and badges “because so many people were coming to offer their support.” She said seeing “the community reaching out like this” made her proud to “grow up and live around” Stourbridge.
Claire Hendrickson, owner of Neuro by Nature Therapy, has been volunteering at the town hall every day since the fires started. The qualified therapist helped transport people affected by the fires to accommodation at Oldswinford Hospital School and organised bedding and essentials to help them settle in. She also walked the dog of a resident who had to evacuate their home every morning until they could return to their property.
As well as offering practical assistance, Claire has provided free therapeutic support to residents and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. She said: “It’s really sad to stand there and witness what people are going through. It was really humbling to sit there and be there for them therapeutically — listening to them, helping them navigate what’s going on, and being a sounding board for people. I’ve cried with them, and I’ve laughed with them.”
Claire, who said it was “instinct” for her to join the volunteering efforts, has also supplied free journals and guidance to those affected on how to “journal in an easy way to help them get stuff out of their systems.”
Groups log hundreds of hours
Community groups were also quick to support the efforts, with St John's Ambulance Dudley & Sandwell mobilising 22 volunteers in just 10 minutes. They logged more than 300 volunteering hours across Stourbridge Town Hall and Oldswinford Hospital School in the days after the fire.
An award-winning volunteer-led initiative, Leslie’s Care Packages, which offers practical support to those facing hardship across the Black Country, has also raised thousands in gift cards for those affected by fires across the West Midlands.
Those looking to volunteer their support and help those affected by the fires should contact volunteertosupportNortonfires@Dudley.gov.uk. Volunteers continue to support those impacted by the blaze while the council works with “local community groups, police, and fire to deliver a coordinated effort” as residents begin returning to their homes.
The mayor added: “Words are simply not enough. I have been emotional on several occasions over the last few days as I witness the support offered not just by our wonderful volunteers but by our superb Council staff. This has allowed our partners in the emergency services to do their work. Our community is simply superb.... bostin. Stourbridge will never forget.”
