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As Bonfire Night approaches, health professionals are encouraging the public to be mindful of the effect fireworks can have on veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s (NSFT) Veterans Integrated Service has launched an awareness campaign to support former service personnel who may find the fireworks season distressing. The Trust aims to remind the public that while fireworks are a familiar part of national celebrations, they can trigger anxiety and traumatic memories for those who have experienced combat.

Vicky Bailey, Veterans Clinical Nurse Specialist at NSFT, said: “Whilst many people find fireworks exciting and a way of marking celebrations, they can be a trauma reminder for those who served in combat. The sudden loud noises, flashes of light, and smells can trigger vivid and terrifying memories of war, leading to heightened anxiety, hypervigilance, and panic.”

She advises veterans to plan ahead to reduce the potential impact of fireworks. “To cope, veterans can use noise-cancelling headphones, practice grounding techniques like focusing on their senses, use coping strategies such as breathing exercises, and surround themselves with supportive friends and family or seek professional help,” she said. “If you do feel able to go to a fireworks display, have a plan to leave if you start to become distressed and schedule other healthy distractions such as exercising at home. Don’t forget to reassure yourself that fireworks season only lasts a short time, and it will soon be over.”

The Trust’s message aligns with national guidance from the charity Help for Heroes, which promotes “The Firework Heroes Code.” This initiative encourages the public to take simple steps to reduce the negative impact fireworks can have on veterans, those with sensory sensitivities, and animals.

The Firework Heroes Code includes five key principles:

• Be mindful – consider how fireworks might affect nearby people and pets.

• Go to planned public displays – rather than setting off fireworks at home.

• Give neighbours advance warning – letting people know the timing of fireworks can help them prepare.

• Go silent – choose low-noise or “silent” fireworks to minimise distress.

• Give support – if someone appears distressed, offer reassurance and encourage them to seek professional help.

Theresa Mitchell, Head of Hidden Wounds at Help for Heroes, explained why this approach matters. “Many veterans tell us that fireworks season can leave them feeling nervous and fearful, particularly as the season seems to grow in length and is not just focussed on 5 November. Sudden, loud noises, unpredictable flashes of light, and the smell of bonfires can trigger anxiety or bring back traumatic memories. Even those who stay home to avoid the discomfort may experience feelings of isolation.”

Former Senior Aircraftsman Matt Neve, who served in the RAF, echoed the importance of awareness. “Many people look forward to Bonfire Night, and it is a big event in the calendar, but not everyone enjoys it. The Firework Heroes Code is a simple way to ensure that you minimise the impact of your own event on others—so everyone can feel comfortable at this time of year.”

NSFT’s Veterans Integrated Service continues to provide specialist mental health support for veterans and their families across Norfolk and Suffolk. The Trust encourages those affected by fireworks to seek help through their GP or dedicated veterans’ mental health services.

By raising awareness and encouraging considerate behaviour, the campaign aims to make Bonfire Night safer and more inclusive for everyone.

Taylor Wimpey East Anglia has donated £7,000 towards the purchase of a baby grand piano at Cambourne Village College, located near its West Cambourne development. The contribution marks another step in the ongoing partnership between the developer and the school, and represents a long-term investment in music education and community life in Cambridgeshire.

Cambourne Village College, part of the CAM Academy Trust, has welcomed the new instrument as a valuable resource for students across all year groups. The piano will not only enrich the school’s music department but also support the college’s broader mission as a community hub. Village colleges in Cambridgeshire have always been designed to serve both students and local residents, following the vision of educational pioneer Henry Morris, who described the village college as “the community centre of the neighbourhood”.

To celebrate the new addition, Cambourne Village College is launching an annual Taylor Wimpey Piano Competition. The contest will be open to all abilities, offering every student the chance to showcase their skills and musical development. The piano will make its public debut at the school’s GCSE music showcase in late October 2025, when Year 11 pupils will perform their solo coursework pieces to a live audience. It will also feature prominently in other events throughout the year, including the first rounds of the Taylor Wimpey Piano Competition in December and January, as well as the popular Sixth Form “Carols around the Piano”.

Lynn Mayes, Principal at Cambourne Village College, said: “We are delighted to have such a beautiful grand piano in our school. It’s a resource that will inspire pupils across all year groups and provide opportunities that we simply couldn’t have offered without Taylor Wimpey’s support. Already, it has become a hub for creativity and performance, and we are excited to see how our pupils will continue to benefit from it.”

Claire Heald, CEO of the CAM Academy Trust, added: “Partnerships like this are transformational for our schools. Taylor Wimpey’s generosity demonstrates a shared commitment to raising aspirations and providing extraordinary opportunities for young people. As our Trust continues to develop, investments in facilities and resources like this piano make a lasting impact on pupils, staff, and the wider community.”

For Taylor Wimpey East Anglia, the project reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting the local communities where it builds. Olivia Peters, Head of Sales at Taylor Wimpey East Anglia, said: “Giving back to the community is so important to us at Taylor Wimpey. Partnerships with schools are vital to help strengthen children’s education, whilst encouraging them to pursue other opportunities, such as music. We hope this donation will benefit all students and teachers for years to come, and we can’t wait to see the children’s progress at the Taylor Wimpey Piano Competition.”

Cambourne Village College opened in 2013 as the first secondary school in Cambourne and now accommodates around 1,250 pupils and 100 staff. The college continues the proud Cambridgeshire tradition of village colleges, offering both education and community facilities in one place. These schools have long been central to the life of their towns and villages, promoting lifelong learning and social inclusion. Cambourne Village College was rated “outstanding” by Ofsted in 2015 and has become an integral part of the growing Cambourne community.

Taylor Wimpey East Anglia is closely connected to the area, with two developments currently in Cambourne: Burghley Green and Chivers Rise at West Cambourne. Situated just nine miles from Cambridge, West Cambourne offers a convenient location with easy access to amenities and strong transport links. St Neots station is just 16 minutes away, providing fast connections to London King’s Cross in 44 minutes.

The £7,000 donation from Taylor Wimpey East Anglia has already begun to make a difference, with the baby grand piano acting as a new centrepiece for music, creativity, and community engagement at Cambourne Village College. As the partnership grows and the Taylor Wimpey Piano Competition takes shape, the instrument will continue to inspire the next generation of musicians and strengthen the bond between the college and its community.