Risk Ready Communities: How Volunteers play a vital role to emergency responses

Volunteers play a vital role in helping local communities prepare for and respond to risks such as flooding, health emergencies and disruption to essential services. ✍️ Rachael Payne, Senior Emergency Response Officer for the British Red Cross in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, represents the voluntary sector on the Local Resilience Forum (LRF). Here, she explains why the voluntary sector is so important to emergency response and how local people can get involved in the new Risk Ready Communities programme.

“Across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, voluntary organisations play a crucial role in supporting communities during emergencies. They bring specialist skills, local knowledge and trusted relationships that really strengthen our overall response.

“We work 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.

Case study: Supporting communities during the 2024 gas outage

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.”

Helping communities build resilience together

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.

Sign up for a webinar or invite your team to attend a local event by visiting the Risk Ready Communities programme on our website.

Upcoming webinars

Community Response Plans
Wednesday 1 July, 2pm – 3:30pm  Repeated on Thursday 2 July, 6:30pm – 8pm

Risk Ready Communities is led by the Local Resilience Forum (LRF), in partnership with Groundwork Five Counties and Communities Prepared (a Groundwork South programme).