Overview:

Following a major flood event, community recovery takes many months – long after the media have moved on. The relevant local authority and Local Resilience Partnerships co-ordinate the organisational response and cover an important range of tactical and operational actions to ensure a coordinated response to the event, and their Care for People strategy ensures the council services mobilise to help those in need of housing or other support.

However for the wider local community response, the Voluntary Sector – both formal and informal – is often at the forefront to support the vulnerable; to arrange replacement furniture, clothes and other personal needs especially for those without insurance and to provide a regular and ongoing listening ear to those struggling emotionally.

With over 13 years of experience of community flood recovery and working in well over 1200 separate events across the UK, the Scottish Flood Forum team understands the value of working together in partnership with the relevant local authority and other agencies to support the needs of those who are affected by flooding. We ensure there are strong links and networking with other organisations, including the voluntary sector, to prevent duplication of service provision, leading to exchange of ideas and mutual support and problem resolution with the community.

Aim of an SFF integrated recovery programme

To operate a single point of contact with other voluntary sector resources and to respond quickly and professionally to the needs of those affected by a flood event; working together in partnership with the local authority and other agencies.

Our long term aim is to leave communities and individuals better prepared for future flooding than we found them through the creation of community resilience groups and through raising awareness of what can be done to protect homes and communities.

Strategic Objectives

• The overall objective is to journey with the flood affected communities from the initial impact through recovery to resilience to leave the flood affected areas better equipped to deal with a severe weather incident. (Time scale 6 – 18 months)
• To do this we network with other organisations (local voluntary and responsible authorities) to prevent duplication of service provision. Our experience shows this leads to mutual support and problem solving with the community. (Time scale on-going)

This can include:

• Assess the practical and emotional needs of those in the flooded area and investigate the local volunteer resources (formal and informal) available.
• Liaise with the Multi Agency Response Group (MARG) and local authority response to ensure clear lines of communication and ensure all know who is doing what. (In our experience, this can best achieved if the SFF representative or other co-ordinator sits on the MARG group.)
• Provide training to local volunteers, and any interested local authority staff, on the logistical and emotional challenges of flood recovery and what will be involved
• Harness the existing goodwill and energy in the community and co-ordinate activities to ensure needs are met
• Set up drop-in centres (surgeries) where required. These will disseminate information, flood advice and support together with key agencies and the Voluntary Sector. Agree using appropriate vehicles / trailers, village halls to provide assistance to other smaller vulnerable flood affected (rural) communities. (Time scale immediately after the flood)
• Provide resources and support to those who have no insurance, are drying out their property or who are dealing with complex loss adjuster/builder issues through the life of the recovery period. (Timescale – months.)
• Leave the community and individuals better able to deal with future flood events through the development of community resilience groups, property flood protection exhibitions and through leaving a better informed and skilled local community and voluntary sector.

Through the drop-in centres we provide:

• Emotional / post-traumatic stress support, (listening, understanding and empathy) with back up support from professional agencies. (Time scale immediately)
• Debt support and ongoing financial assistance for those requiring this service, with special emphasis to those who are uninsured against flooding. This can include liaison with clothing and furniture provision as appropriate. (Time scale within 4 weeks)
• Provide specialist ‘Advice Information Days’ to equip flood affected residents with specific professional advice and support. (Time scale 2 – 6 months)
• Promote an awareness of property resilience measures to further reduce the risk of future flooding. Where appropriate, work with the council to access the funds allocated for this purpose. (Time scale 4 – 18 months)
• Provide Business Continuity Training and support as appropriate to SME’s regarding planning against business continuity disruption in the future. (Time scale 4 – 18 months)

Other activities aimed at building community cohesion:

• Maintain regular communication with those affected via a newsletter and update them with the most current information to build a sense of community following the incident.
• Creating questionnaires to gather data to identify and direct ongoing problem areas.
• Co-ordinating a specialist support network for survivors to connect with, i.e. stress, debt, and building repair issues.
• Provide speakers and / or information for Agency / Council meetings.
• Commence a follow-up programme to resolve snagging / post occupancy problems of flooded properties.
• Sending welcome home cards to those affected as they return home.

Next steps

We would welcome an opportunity to discuss our proposed Holistic Flood Recovery Programme with you and to agree how the SFF can be integrated into your Care for People strategy and your Emergency Plans. This would ensure that if and when a flood event happens, our response can be dovetailed and integrated with your own, and you and your colleagues can call on us, knowing our role has already been agreed.