Resilience workshops for Swale Residents

A new pilot project has been launched in Swale encouraging residents to think about becoming better prepared for emergencies.

The Strengthening Preparedness Together in Swale initiative focusses on direct engagement with communities and parish and town councils to help them become more aware and better prepared for the impacts of future emergencies, such as flooding, severe weather and utility outages. It also aims to broaden the base of local volunteers trained in emergency preparedness to help meet the future challenges and impacts the area is likely to face.

Funded by the MHCLG via the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF), the project provides the dedicated services of a part-time Swale-focussed Senior Project Officer employed by Communities Prepared for the next year.​

Supported by the KMRF’s Kent Resilience Team and other partners, including Swale Borough Council, the Environment Agency and Swale CVS, the initiative will deliver bespoke training to support an increase in emergency preparedness in communities throughout Swale and the Isle of Sheppey.​

To introduce the project to communities all Swale residents are invited to attend one of three free online training webinars: Introduction to Resilience taking place on:

• 27 October 6pm to 7pm Book your place here

• 28 October 5pm to 6.30pm Book your place here
• 27 November 5.30 to 7pm Book your place here

This is the first of a series of online webinars coming soon to Swale as part of the initiative. It will provide key information about why communities need to be better prepared. Covering key concepts around community resilience and risks specific to the Swale, it will emphasise how we can all play a role in a better prepared community, helping to reduce the impact of future emergencies, while aiding with a faster recovery.

Borough, parish and town council involvement of this initiative is crucial to the success of this project, as is the engagement of resident volunteers. The project encourages broader involvement in the resilience planning by building on existing links and enhancing relationships with Swale’s community and voluntary sector groups. By working together, we can help equip communities with the skills, knowledge and plans they need to help support themselves in times of emergencies.

So far there has been strong interest from parishes and discussions are already underway to look at how parishes can collaborate more closely to coordinate community resilience planning and engage with the communities they serve.

The views of residents and local knowledge of the needs of your communities will help shape how it is delivered in each area.​ Further on-line and in-person sessions are planned, tailored to the needs of each community, and will be delivered in partnership with local communities.

For more information and to find out how you can be involved contact the Kent Residence Team project coordinator Sacha Taylor [email protected].