Volunteers help communities stay 'risk ready' - on Volunteers Week and every week!

Volunteers play a vital role in helping local communities prepare for and respond to risks like flooding, health emergencies and disruption to essential services, says Rachael Payne, from the British Red Cross, who represents the voluntary sector on the LRF.

Why are volunteers so important to emergency response?

“They bring specialist skills, local knowledge and trusted relationships that really strengthen our overall response.

“The voluntary sector works closely with emergency services, local authorities and other partners to make sure people receive timely, coordinated and compassionate support when it’s needed most.

“Volunteers provide a wide range of practical help from search and rescue to transporting people and essential supplies. They also support people emotionally, help them access services and ensure important information reaches the right people.

Can you give us an example?

"A great example of a ‘collaboration in action’ was demonstrated during the gas outage in Kirby Muxloe and Ratby in 2024. Volunteers carried out welfare visits, delivered essential items to help people stay warm, and provided hot food to responders on the ground.

All of this makes a real difference - helping to strengthen resilience, protect wellbeing and support our communities when they need it most.

Rachael Payne, Senior Emergency Response Officer, British Red Cross

 

 

How can people volunteer to support resilience?

"There are many ways you can get involved in building resilience in your community.

"Simple actions such as checking in on vulnerable neighbours can make a huge difference or you can work with other community members to create a Community Response Plan, helping your area prepare for potential risks.

"You can also check out our Risk Ready Communities programme where you can find lots of useful information, sign up for one of our latest webinars or even invite our team to attend a local event."