Find out how to promote resilience in your community

Help and support each other in the face of a common crisis.

Community Resilience is about knowing who your community are and being able to help and support each other in the face of a common crisis.

Even during quite innocuous events such as a power cuts, storms and snowfall, community resilience (or plain simple ‘looking out for each other’) makes good sense. It strengthens the bonds and links between your community and has all sorts of positive spin offs.

Examples of Community Resilience are:

• Knowing who your neighbours are, and sharing contact details
• Checking up on any vulnerable neighbours (in severe weather, for example)
• Knowing whether any of your neighbours have particular experience or equipment which might be invaluable in an emergency (for example nurses, doctors, tree surgeons, people with generators, 4x4 vehicles, emergency lighting, etc.)

If you are interested in promoting resilience further within your community you could volunteer as a Community Emergency Coordinator. Speak to your parish/town council to check whether someone is doing this already.

There are also things you can do for your household in advance of an emergency, such as:

• Think about what you have that relies on power and ask yourself how you can manage without that power. For example, it’s a good idea to keep a simple phone that does not need mains power, or a wind-up charger for your mobile phone.
• Preparing a box of essentials within your home so that you are ready for power cuts or possible periods of isolation. For example:
  • Wind up torch and/or radio
  • Vital documentation in weather/flood proof container
  • List of contact details including family and friends
  • Candles, matches and lighters
  • Toiletries, blankets and warm clothes
  • Non-perishable food and drink, e.g. bottled water, tea, coffee and powdered milk
  • Medication and first aid kit

Norfolk Resilience Forum

The Norfolk Resilience Forum can help with planning for emergencies, and contains a wealth of information and support with regards to all aspects of emergency continuity in communities, businesses and homes.

Visit Norfolk Resilience Forum