Ready Together“Coming together with our networks on a regular basis to better get to know one another and understand how our respective organisations work is a critical part of not only emergency preparedness but resilience-building. Knowing where our individual strengths lie means we can not only put forward a stronger collective response during disasters, but spot opportunities to make systems and processes better outside of emergency events. It means those affected by UK disasters receive the best possible care – something we all share as a goal”.
Moving forward together stronger: reflections from our Charity Partners Day event
News and blogsNational Emergencies Trust brought together its Charity Partners for an event hosted by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
On Thursday 12th September, National Emergencies Trust brought together its Charity Partners alongside friends and Patrons of the charity, at an energetic and hands-on event kindly hosted by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Attended by representatives from more than 30 organisations based across the UK, the event connected key players in the UK’s resilience landscape, and senior figures from the organisations who provide support when the worst happens. Throughout the day, the key themes discussed included preparedness, the power of partnerships, and crucially, how to create a brighter future for survivors of disasters.
The event was led by opening plenaries from John Barradell, National Emergencies Trust Chair and Alex Woodman, Chief Fire Officer at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, before the audience gained a broader understanding of the National Risk Register from Caitlin Healy, Senior Risk Management Lead at the Cabinet Office. Later in the day, Alicia Taylor offered a survivors’ perspective, providing a moving account of her experience of the Manchester Arena attack and the support that was subsequently offered, and missing, in the aftermath. Alicia was a key contributor to the National Emergencies Trust’s Bee The Difference research project.
A fireside chat on partnerships and preparedness highlighted the importance of collaboration in disaster response and community resilience, with thoughtful discussion from panelists Mhairi Sharp, CEO of the National Emergencies Trust; Yvonne Field, CEO of the Ubele Initiative and Toby Wicks, CEO of REACT Disaster Response.
There is a need to ensure no one is left behind during emergencies. Discussing opportunities to improve resilience for Black and racialised communities, Yvonne Field added: “In terms of the impact of some of these disasters and emergencies, if you think about Grenfell, and Covid, we have the data on what's happened. We have data on how the system impacts negatively on Black and racialised communities’ health, education, employment, criminal justice system. I think we need a long-term strategy, a road map, looking at transformative scenario planning - what kind of features do we need, do we want to play out and what does it mean we need to do?”
In an action-packed afternoon session, attendees were able to make use of Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue’s plentiful resources by learning practical skills like hose running, playing giant Jenga using specialist equipment and observing a fire demonstration.
Mhairi Sharp, CEO of the National Emergencies Trust, said:
Alex Woodman, National Emergencies Trust Ambassador and Chief Fire Officer and Executive Director at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, added:
"I was extremely proud that Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue could host the National Emergencies Trust’s Charity Partners Day today. I think the vibe, the relationships, the network that's been built throughout the day, as well as the electric nature of the event, has been so important. What's been so strong throughout the day is the sole focus on the voice of survivors; the understanding of the sector and what we need to do for our community. I hope we can now build more on this, collaborate further and bring the change that we need”.
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended the event. Check back to the National Emergencies Trust Latest Updates page for further updates on our work to support UK disaster survivors.
Watch a Reel from the event on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab), with a full list of attendees.
