Aberdeenshire Community Resilience Strategy

SSEN have released details of their Powering Communities to Net Zero Fund, more information can be found at the links below. The Fund will be open until 31st August 2024.

https://www.ssen.co.uk/news-views/2024/SSEN-opens-applications-for-new-3m-community-fund/

https://www.ssen.co.uk/about-ssen/our-communities/powering-communities-to-net-zero-fund/

The Aberdeenshire Community Resilience Framework has now been published and is available here Ready communities - Aberdeenshire Council

Alongside the framework document a series of advice notes and templates have been produced to provide the operational or technical detail for community resilience groups.

Aberdeenshire in common with many communities across the country has faced several significant crisis events over the last decade where our collective response has been challenged; Storms Desmond and Frank in late 2015 and early 2016, our response to significant global events such as COVID-19, the tragic train derailment in August 2020 and recent winter storms and disruptive weather events.

All of these events have the potential to impact on a community in both the long and short term. While each event is different, they all share common factors and can happen with or without warning. Emergency services and the council can be stretched with competing demands for resources; a willingness by many people, be they volunteers or responders, to step forward to help is vital.

The Aberdeenshire Community Resilience Framework is a positioning document outlining the roles and responsibilities of the Emergency Services, Aberdeenshire Council and Utility Services; and establishing how Community Resilience Groups can contribute safely and effectively to an emergency.

We aim to promote resilience through the Four C's of increasing capability and capacity and encouraging connectedness and co-operation between groups.

We also recognise that one size doesn't fit all and there is no ‘right’ way for a community resilience group to operate. Our principal role in the council is to remove obstacles to effective community resilience and signpost groups to opportunities.

The UK Government have just released their Prepare campaign. Visit Prepare - Prepare for their information on preparing for emergencies, being informed about hazards and getting involved in your community.

Thank you to all who responded to our Resilience - Your Priorities survey; one of the key issues to come out of that survey was concern around communications. We will be in touch in due course with more information about communications but in the meantime you may find this newsletter from the Digital Engagement Team interesting Digital Engagement Team Newsletter

We now have a date for the Community Resilience Conference 2024 - Thursday 3rd October 2024

Please hold the date and more information will follow in due course

We understand from your feedback that several Community Resilience Groups would like to access First Aid Training; please complete this short survey to give us some more information. It should only take 5-10 minutes of your time.

https://forms.office.com/e/HT2NNPKQs7

After the success of our first community resilience conference in October 2023 we are looking to hold another event in Autumn 2024. We are keen to reach as wide an audience as possible and are therefore seeking your views on the format of the event. Please complete the short survey below, it should take less than 5 minutes.

https://forms.office.com/e/d8zVA0UgQf

If you require a paper copy please contact us at riskandresilienceteam@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Ready Scotland have produced a document on Insurance and Health & Safety for Community Resilience Groups Ready Scotland Advice Note on Insurance and Health & Safety.

They have also developed training materials for groups to learn about emergency resilience Learn about Emergency Resilience

We are pleased to confirm that registration for Aberdeenshire residents for the first Grampian Community Resilience Conference is now open:

Click here for Event Registration

Event Details

Location: Beach Ballroom, Beach Promenade, Aberdeen, Aberdeen City, AB24 5NR

Hosts: Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council

Date & Time: 02/10/2023 0930 to 15:00

Join us for the Community Resilience Conference, a dynamic event focused on building more resilient communities.

This in-person conference is aimed at established community groups who are looking to begin or enhance their resilience activities. At the Conference, we will explore innovative strategies and practical solutions to enhance your community resilience activities. Engage in thought-provoking discussions with our experts and other community groups who all share a passion for resilience. Confirmed to attend are:

• Scottish Flood Forum
• Police Scotland
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Scottish Ambulance Service
• SEPA
• SSEN
• British Red Cross
• Age Scotland
• Aberdeenshire Council
• Aberdeen City Council

Network with fellow attendees, exchange ideas, and forge meaningful connections. Participate in the question and answer panel session and enhance your knowledge and skills. Leave with actionable takeaways that you can apply to your own community.

Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of the Community Resilience Conference. Register now and be prepared to be inspired, empowered, and equipped to make a positive impact on your community! Attendance is free but you must register using the above link. Due to limited spaces we request a maximum for 2 representatives from each Community Group

If you have any questions regarding the event please do get in touch. We look forward to seeing you there!

Neil and Vicky

Hello everyone, just a short message to confirm the arrangements for the Community Resilience Conference which we are co-hosting with Aberdeen City colleagues on Monday 2 October 2023. The conference will be held at the Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen and will run from 0930 hours to 1500 hours.

The conference is free to attend and we've arranged the attendance of some of our key partners from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, SEPA, SSEN, Scottish Flood Forum and others. We are pleased to have speakers from two of our own Community Groups who will share some of their experiences of Community Resilience.

We are just waiting for Aberdeen City colleagues to finalise the arrangements following which a link to register will be shared. In the first instance we will look to restrict attendance to two per group but we may be able to increase that nearer the conference.

Apologies for the lateness of the conference invite. We hope to have that soon!

Any questions get in touch.

Neil & Vicky