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 (EDI) that is now reaching across emergency services, education, and communities.
Through SWIFS and her second initiative, Empowerment Education, Mary is opening doors, starting conversations, many shy away from, and creating opportunities for people who’ve often been overlooked.
Her mission is simple yet powerful: to inspire, educate, empower, and advocate.
Mary’s journey into this work was deeply personal.
While navigating her own career in the fire service, she became aware of the barriers faced by underrepresented groups—particularly women.
Spotting the lack of support and guidance for potential candidates, she created SWIFS to fill that gap.
What started as a grassroots idea has since gained national recognition.
SWIFS has been featured twice this year in UK Fire Magazine, one of the most prestigious publications in the emergency services sector.
The project has been invited as a media partner at The Fire Safety Event 2026 at the NEC Birmingham.
It has entered a collaborative relationship with the Aviation Fire Officers Association (AFOA).
Not content with making change in one space, Mary also founded Empowerment Education, inspired by her own adverse experiences within 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.
Empowerment Education delivers workshops in schools, colleges, and youth groups, focusing on PSHE topics while weaving in crucial lessons about equity and inclusion.
Together with SWIFS, the two initiatives operate under the same motto: “Working Together for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.”
At their core, both SWIFS and Empowerment Education are about creating equity of opportunity.
Mary is passionate about ensuring that postcode does not define potential. The programmes are designed to help people succeed, gain confidence, and then reinvest their skills and experience back into the very communities they came from.
By providing mentoring, workshops, and safe spaces to learn and explore opportunities, Mary’s work is systematically giving back to society.
She envisions both SWIFS and Empowerment Education becoming established social enterprises, reinvesting everything into the people they serve.
Mary is clear about the barriers communities face:
Historic inequality: Many communities in North East Lincolnshire have struggled with fairness and representation for decades.
Her response?
Lead with courage, honesty, and persistence. “If we don’t discuss these topics, and we don’t make steps to change, then lasting change will never happen,” she explains.
Though still relatively young, both initiatives are already creating waves.
SWIFS has been breaking down barriers in male-dominated workplaces, providing visibility, mentorship, and inspiration to women and minority groups interested in the fire service.
Empowerment Education has delivered workshops that leave students feeling inspired and capable, giving them tools to overcome adversity and believe in their potential.
Every article published, every mentoring conversation held, and every student workshop delivered contributes to a growing culture of empowerment.
Mary beams with pride as she reflects: “Even if it’s just one article read or one workshop delivered—each small step helps raise awareness and inspire others. That’s how change begins.”
Mary is clear about what helps her mission grow:
Those wanting to connect directly can find SWIFS on Instagram at @mary_jennings05 on Instagram and @swifs.project on Instagram or reach out to Mary on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-anna-jennings-b426751a2/ for mentoring and collaboration opportunities.
Mary Jennings is proving that one person’s lived experience can spark meaningful change for many. Through SWIFS and Empowerment Education, she is not only offering opportunities but also reshaping the way communities think about equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Her message is clear: real change happens when we’re willing to start the conversations that matter.