Mary Jennings: Founder of SWIFS — Breaking Down Barriers in the Fire Service and Beyond
When Mary Jennings founded SWIFS (Supporting Women into the Fire Service), she did more than create a pathway into one of the most male-dominated professions in the UK. She began building a movement for equality, diversity, and inclusion that is now reaching across emergency services, education, and communities. From personal experience to public impact Mary’s […]
When Mary Jennings founded SWIFS (Supporting Women into the Fire Service), she did more than create a pathway into one of the most male-dominated professions in the UK. She began building a movement for equality, diversity, and inclusion that is now reaching across emergency services, education, and communities.
From personal experience to public impact
Mary’s journey was deeply personal. While navigating her own career in the fire service, she became aware of the barriers faced by underrepresented groups. Spotting the lack of support for potential candidates, she created SWIFS to fill that gap. The project has since gained national recognition — featured twice in UK Fire Magazine and entering a collaborative relationship with the Aviation Fire Officers Association.
Not content with making change in one space, Mary also founded Empowerment Education, inspired by her own adverse experiences in mainstream education. As a young person with undiagnosed neurodiversity needs, she missed over a year of school. Now she uses those challenges as fuel to ensure other students don’t face the same barriers.
How others can support
Share the work of small, grassroots projects. Make introductions to local groups, schools, and businesses. Book a workshop — from fire service career pathways to EDI discussions or PSHE-focused empowerment sessions. Find SWIFS on Instagram at @swifs.project or reach out on LinkedIn.
