Community Resilience – Some Experience from Scotland Ralph Throp Head of Community Resilience Policy The Scottish Government

Aims and Objectives Scottish Government Strategic Objectives: Safer and stronger Greener Healthier Wealthier Smarter Resilience Aim: “Scotland is as prepared as possible to deal with the consequences of any national or local emergency…..”

“ We live in a brittle society” “Next generation resilience relies on citizens and communities, not the institutions of the state” Edwards (2009)

Scotland – some background Similar size, climate, population and GDP per capita to the Republic of Ireland. Devolved government – with responsibility for managing the consequences of emergencies. 32 unitary local authorities (statutory responders) community councils. 45,000 voluntary sector organisations, supported by a 3 rd Sector Interface in each LA area.

Resilience in Scotland Underpinning principles: Worst-case scenarios are the benchmark Public, private and voluntary sectors need to work together Horizon scanning Long-term view necessary Generic planning – for anything, not everything

Grampian Highlands & Islands Central Strathclyde Lothian & Borders Dumfries & Galloway Fife Tayside Strategic Co-ordinating Groups

What is community resilience? “Communities and individuals harnessing resources and expertise to help themselves prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, in a way that complements the work of the emergency responders”

What do we mean by Community? Geographical communities Communities of: o Circumstance o Interest o Practitioners Geographic most relevant - but potential to work with voluntary groups, business sector and wider “networks”

AwarenessAssets Activism

How concerned are the public?

How prepared do the public feel?

Who’s responsible for being prepared for emergencies?

What do people want more information on?

What Can Government Do? Improve understanding of risk Increase awareness of importance to act Facilitate liaison & development Support new ideas & approaches – pilots Provide Guidance, advice & support“Myth busting” All to encourage behaviour change Work under way in all these areas

Ready for Winter? campaign and Ready Scotland web portal.

Encouraging integration of the voluntary sector with responders. Resilience Advisory Board (Voluntary Sector) group – bringing together responders and the voluntary sector Twice yearly meetings – discussions at the heart of policy Summer seminar – updates, sharing good practice and joint exercising. Voluntary Emergency Responders Guide Local good practice – Central SCG

Integrating resilience into the schools curriculum Developing a “Ready for emergencies” resource for teachers which allows them to teach resilience as part of the curriculum. With Borders council, developing a tool to raise awareness of resilience in schools to promote community development.

Guide to emergency planning for community groups A step by step guide to making a community emergency plan for community groups Where to go for help and advice Published on Ready Scotland Templates – not branded,can be used or adapted.

Myth busting: Will I be sued if I help someone and something goes wrong?

Conclusion SG is working with partners to provide a strategic direction, and some tools, to help build community resilience. We’ve developed guidance and tools, helped develop and highlighted some good practice and helped people share their experiences. Work in progress where next? –Rolling out the use of tools and guidance across the country –Can the private sector contribute more? –Working with poorer urban communities –Communicating about risk in plain English –Good practice examples and advice are available at: ReadyScotland.org.uk

Thanks. Any questions?