Key Voluntary Sector Partners
This section lists some of the main voluntary sector organisations that the statutory agencies are working with to prepare for emergencies. It divides them by the main support functions they provide:
In addition, a more extensive list of some of the voluntary sector activities in support of statutory services (Annex 14A) [External PDF, 3 pages, 18KB] is provided in the Civil Contingencies Act guidance document Emergency Preparedness [External website].
Welfare and medical support
- The British Red Cross (BRC) [External website] is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. They work to provide relief to people in crises and respond to emergencies in support of the emergency services and other statutory authorities. Their volunteers provide practical help and emotional support to victims. In addition, the BRC is a major provider of First Aid training.
- St John Ambulance [External website] is a First Aid, transport and care charity. It provides First Aid and medical support services, caring services in support of community needs and education, training and personal development to young people.
- St Andrews First Aid [External website] is a First Aid charity and provider of First Aid training, services and supplies in Scotland.
- WRVS [External website] provides a range of services to help people in need who might otherwise feel lonely and isolated. The WRVS gives professional support to the blue-light services and the public in emergency situations, such as floods, fires, rail disasters and evacuations. They are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Social and psychological aftercare
- The Salvation Army [External website] is not primarily an emergency disaster relief organisation. However, it frequently provides support at the point of greatest need during the emergency period of a disaster. The Salvation Army provides a range of psychological support and counselling services to the homeless, elderly and other vulnerable groups, including those affected by emergencies.
- Cruse Bereavement Care [External website] works to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. The organisation provides counselling and support. It offers information, advice, education and training services.
- Samaritans [External website] operates a 24 hours a day service to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
- Victim Support [External website] is an independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. They provide free and confidential support and information.
Search and rescue
- The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) [External website] is a charity that provides a 24-hour lifesaving service around the UK and Republic of Ireland. The RNLI volunteer crews include a rapid response unit which provides support in emergencies.
- The Mountain Rescue Council (MRC) [External website] is the national co-ordinating body for voluntary mountain rescue teams in England and Wales, of which the regional bodies are members together with the British Cave Rescue Council and the Search and Rescue Dog Associations. The main function of the MRC is to liaise on behalf of the voluntary mountain rescue teams with the various government departments in the running of mountain and cave rescue.
- The International Rescue Committee (IRC) [External website] helps people fleeing racial, religious and ethnic persecution, as well as those uprooted by war and violence. At the outbreak of an emergency, they provide sanctuary and lifesaving assistance to those driven from their homes. The IRC also provides longer term education, training and economic assistance.
Communications
- The Citizens Advice Bureau [External website] provides services to help people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice, and by influencing policymakers. Over the last 65 years, the Citizens Advice service has grown from an emergency war-time information service, and it therefore maintains an important information network for providing advice during and after emergencies.
- The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network (RAYNET) [External website] is the UK's national voluntary communications service provided for the community by licensed radio amateurs. Their Emergency Planning Team carries out support within the network during emergencies.
More information
- You can get more information, including more links, answers to frequently asked questions, and a glossary of terms, by going to the More Information section of the website.
- You can get more detailed information about civil protection topics on UK Resilience [External website].
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