Lesson 2 – Community groups and local emergency resilience

Some community groups exist solely to plan for and respond to local emergency situations. These are often connected to a Community Council and come together to focus on regular local emergencies such as flooding or the impacts of severe weather on their communities. These groups are sometimes known as Community Resilience Groups or Community Emergency Groups.

Find out more on the Community Councils website.

However, any group of people that already works within a community can help local people in times of crisis if it feels able to do so. That could be social or sports clubs, faith and cultural‑based organisations, nature or environmental interest groups. They might have a formal structure with a legal status or be an informal group set up by members of a community. Regardless of the structure or main purpose of these groups, the things they have in common are a strong understanding of their community, its assets and people, and a desire to help in times of need.

Case studies

Read examples of how community groups across Scotland support local people through emergencies below.

Caithness and Sutherland

Throughout the COVID‑19 pandemic, resilience networks developed in Caithness and Sutherland in order to coordinate the activity of the many different community anchor organisations as well as to provide an informal space where the groups could support and learn from each other. These anchor organisations—development trusts, community councils, local resilience groups, and wellbeing centres—helped people with everything from shopping to digital social activities throughout the pandemic.

Find out more about this work on the Highlands and Islands Enterprise website.

South Uist

The Stoneybridge community on South Uist have been developing a resilience hub at the local community hall. The community considered the potential risks that they can face and the actions that they might take to assist people in need until emergency and welfare services are able to reach and support vulnerable and isolated people. They have been working on upskilling community volunteers and providing the tools, resources and equipment that will mitigate the effect of severe weather and power outages.

Ballater

The Ballater Resilience Team are an integral part of the Ballater and Crathie Community Council. They work closely with Aberdeenshire Council’s Emergency Planning team to assess local risks and identify local resources and actions. When emergencies occur, the actions taken by the community may include providing shelter, hot meals and assistance in village halls during an emergency. They may also check on neighbours who may benefit from additional assistance to ensure their safety and well‑being during severe weather or utility failure.

Aberfeldy

The Tayside Waders are a residents association in Aberfeldy set up in July 2012 with support of a local councillor to address flooding concerns. They manage a local flood resilience store provided by Perth and Kinross Council where they store pumps, sandbags, trolleys and synthetic flood defence equipment. Following some challenges in coordinating and communicating with key agencies during local floods, they’ve created a community flood plan, linked to the Aberfeldy emergency plan in order to improve partnership working, communication and support.

Find out more about this work on on the Scottish Flood Forum website.

Angus

Eassie & Nevay Hall is a designated Angus Council Community Resilience Centre. Thanks to local leadership from the Eassie, Nevay and Kirkinch Community Association and funding from multiple sources, the Hall can be used as a safe refuge by the local community during emergencies such as severe weather and prolonged power failures.

Find out more about this work on the Eassie, Nevay and Kirkinch Community Association website.

Largs

Largs Community Resilience Team support their local community to respond to local emergencies. They work closely with local emergency responders and participate in emergency exercises, and are trained to operate an emergency rest centre. During the “Beast from the East” they helped medical staff attend a patient by clearing the road of a considerable amount of snow so that medical staff could attend. As well as their valuable role in local emergencies, they also provide stewarding for community events, which is an invaluable community asset.

Falkirk

The Ettrick Dochart Community Hall is run by a committee who met the need for support during the pandemic by working with partners to provide emergency food (supplied by Falkirk Council) and run a clothing bank with support from the local church. In response to mental health issues identified by people accessing the pantry, a quiet room was created for people to meet with trained listeners or counsellors. They have established a weekly wellbeing cafe to alleviate isolation and loneliness, and they are now piloting wellbeing groups for men and young people.

The emergency resilience cycle

Whether a community group has emergency resilience as its main business or just wants to be more involved when emergencies do occur, the following sections have been created to provide an understanding of the emergency resilience cycle and how community groups can be involved.