Autumn Newsletter 2021

Welcome to the Autumn update from the team at Somerset Prepared!

In this edition we are really excited to announce that our annual Somerset Prepared Event will be taking place in October! Somerset Prepared's October Event is a series of live and pre-recorded talks and group sessions covering a range of subjects with the objective being to inform and prepare you and your local community for emergencies. This will be an online event spread out over the duration of the month, with a few in-person sessions in some locations. Keep reading for sign up information and the programme agenda.

In other news, winter is on the way. On the plus side, this means Christmas isn't too far away! But the negative is the weather is getting colder and there are a lot of nasty cold bugs in circulation. With hospitals under severe pressure at the moment dealing with Covid and a deterioration of other health conditions over the past year and a half, we need to remember to look after ourselves and each other, and protect the NHS.

The Somerset Prepared team have been busy over the past couple of months planning for what comes next! A lot of our focus has been on getting ready for the Somerset Prepared Event, but the team have also been busy working on other resilience projects. September was Preparedness Month, so for the past 30 days we have been very active on Twitter taking part in the #30Days30WaysUK campaign, sending out daily tweets with tips and advice to keep yourself, your household and your community prepared for an emergency. Thanks to everyone who took part in this campaign!

If you want to get more involved with emergency preparedness, response or recovery in Somerset, please check out our Volunteers page for more information.

Best wishes,

Somerset Local Authorities' Civil Contingencies Unit

Somerset Prepared's Resilience Event 2021!

2021 marks the fourth year of the Somerset Prepared Resilience event. When we started planning in the spring, all we wanted was to see you face-to-face, to chat over tea and biscuits and hear your wonderful stories of community spirit during this strange year.

But the most important thing was keeping everyone safe, and with uncertainty around Covid, we decided to keep it mainly online this year. All the Somerset Prepared partners have pitched in to produce a fantastic programme. Luckily, some face-to-face events are able to go ahead, including an open evening for Langport and Huish Episcopi Flood Group, and Avon & Somerset Police beat surgeries in Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Minehead, Wellington, Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea.

We have teamed up with Communities Prepared to offer sessions on some of the subjects most often raised by communities – recruiting volunteers, volunteer insurance, and what to do with a hippopotamus in a flood. Okay – so we don't really get asked a lot about hippos, but the risk assessments covered in that session will help you figure out what to do if one appears! You can sign up for these sessions at www.communitiesprepared.org.uk

We have another eight live online sessions – we're lucky to have national flood resilience expert Mary Dhonau joining us, as well as sessions from South Western Ambulance Service, Western Power, and Previsco, who specialise in early warning systems for floods.

There are also sessions on preparing for climate change, emergency animal welfare networks, and using social media during flood incidents. At the end of the three weeks, there'll be a chance to ask questions about your emergency plan, and you can access a whole range of videos and resources even after the event ends.

Find out more and join us for these sessions at Somerset Prepared Resilience Event 2021 – Somerset Prepared

The programme agenda can be found here: Event Programme 2021 – Somerset Prepared

There's still time to register online for an event pack too. We know it's not the same without those chats and stories and connections between communities, so inside the event packs, along with useful gifts and information, you'll find a teabag and biscuit so you can enjoy a cuppa on us.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Met Office Weather Ready Campaign

Are you ready for the weather this Winter?

Despite the great September weather we've been enjoying this month, autumn is now here which means winter isn't too far behind. Thinking ahead and preparing for what the weather may bring this winter can make a real difference. There are some simple steps you can take to stay safe and healthy at this time of year – from preparing your home or business to taking care of yourself, your family and neighbours.

The Met Office have launched their annual Weather Ready campaign to give you advice on how to prepare yourself and your property for winter and the associated severe weather risks that come with it. To find out more visit WeatherReady - Met Office.

Rotary and Inner Wheel - Flood Packs

As we come into wetter weather, low lying areas, particularly those near water courses can represent a considerable threat to households.

Rotary and Inner Wheel have combined forces to form a unit known internally as ‘EVAG’ to supply kits to improve household resilience. The team donate ‘flood packs’ consisting of self-inflating bags to resist flash flooding in homes which are subject to this risk.

The packs are available free of charge as a donation from Rotary and Inner Wheel.

Enquiries can be made to David Welch –

David303welch@btinternet.com

Somerset Local Authorities Civil Contingencies Unit maintain a record and contact details of all buildings designated as a Community Place of Safety. These are spaces that can be opened and operated by the community in the event that it is impacted by an emergency and people need to leave their homes for a short while. If you are responsible for a Place of Safety, please check that your contact information is up to date.

The Civil Contingencies Unit are always looking out for more Places of Safety across Somerset. Do you know of any village halls, community centres, churches or similar buildings that might be suitable? If so, please get in touch with JTittley@somerset.gov.uk or InfoCCU@somerset.gov.uk.

Somerset Prepared Small Grant Scheme

Don’t forget that you can apply to Somerset Prepared for up to £5000 for training, equipment or other costs that would help your community be better prepared for emergencies. Applying is simple, and we are happy to work with you to find the solutions that are right for your community. See the Funding Support page for terms and conditions and how to apply.

COVID-19

Lockdown has finished and we have been fortunate to enjoy a fairly open and unrestricted summer. However, the risk of Covid still remains. Please make sure you remain vigilant and follow the Covid guidance. Be respectful of those who still choose to wear a facemask and of shops that request this consideration from their customers. For information on the latest National and Local information relating to Coronavirus, small business grants, NHS advice and useful links, go to: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/

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