Safety film made by learning difficulty actors from Rotherham

They made the unique video — titled No Smoke Without Fire — to send their important message in an accessible format.

The film was planned, performed and produced by people with autism and other disabilities — all members of Rotherham advocacy group SpeakUp.

The team also developed a fire safety workbook and other learning resources for use by some of the country’s most vulnerable people.

The project was made possible with a £58,000 grant from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s Stronger Safer Communities Reserve.

Geoff Doncaster, SpeakUp’s principal officer, said: “Public services tend to issue advice to vulnerable groups, whilst failing to recognise that a lot of people struggle greatly with written information.

“People with autism may need information given to them in a slightly different way — on video, for example.

“This funding inspired us to give people the tools to create resources which will protect their peer groups from the dangers of fire.”

The project aims to help vulnerable people live independent lives by helping them understand what to do in an emergency.

SpeakUp has also recruited and trained fire safety champions, who will share what they learned with other vulnerable people across South Yorkshire.

Dianne Fox, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s vulnerable persons advocate, said: “There’s a definite gap currently in the quality of information public services offer to people with autism and learning disabilities.

“By working with an organisation which specialises in delivering education to these vulnerable groups, we think we have been able to develop a suite of resources which is truly groundbreaking for a UK fire and rescue service.”