A Stapleford fire crew have been praised after spending an hour watching TV and drinking tea with an elderly woman who hadn't seen anyone for a week.
Four members of Stapleford's retained fire station visited the woman's home on the morning of May 25.
It was part of their routine 'Safe and Well' programme in which the crew visit homes around the area to offer advice on things such as keeping homes warm and ensuring that smoke alarms are in working order.
Kevin Tedds, crew manager, said: "When we knocked on this lady's door she was very sheepish but once we explained what we were doing she welcomed us in and said that she hadn't seen anyone for a week.
"The last person she saw was a paramedic the previous Saturday, and at that moment I knew that we had to stay and spend some time with her."
Whilst two crew members installed new smoke alarms around the lady's house, Kevin and another colleague spent time with her chatting about the Australian TV soap Home and Away.
It was one of 12 homes they visited on that day.
Kevin added: "Social isolation is definitely a growing problem and the only relatives this lady had lived down south and she said she had no contact with them whatsoever.
"I wanted to share what we'd done on social media because I think it's important that people know we're not just fighting fires and that we are doing this community work as well.
"I always say that it's a lot easier spending time with someone and educating them about how to keep their house safe from flames than climbing up a ladder and rescuing them."
Responding to Kevin's post on Twitter, Damian West, the head of prevention and protection at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the news had "made his day."
He tweeted: "Social isolation is such a huge issue that is so often unseen.
"So proud of you and the Stapleford Team! Amazing work. Thank you. Well done."
