The Scottish Flood Forum: Communities against flooding

Despite the hot and dry summer, our climate is changing in many ways.  Flooding is now identified as one of the top climate change related risks facing the UK, with reports of flood damage costing the Scottish economy upwards of £700 million in 2016. The Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme outlines how it is one of many challenges we face, With climate change likely to alter rainfall patterns and bring more heavy downpours.

The Scottish Flood Forum (SFF) is the only dedicated charity in Scotland that supports flood risk communities. Their aim is to reduce the impacts of flooding on individuals and communities, through providing immediate support after flooding and by establishing a network of community resilience groups in flood risk areas to equip communities to cope with the impacts and threat of any future flooding.

Flooding can have devastating implications for people and their property. The effects on communities and individuals can last for years. Because we have experienced flooding ourselves, we understand the huge consequences – both practical and emotional – that follow the flooding of homes and communities.

Sadly climate change is predicted to increase the risk of such flooding throughout Scotland over the coming decades so the problem is not going to go away.

It is therefore becoming even more important that the resilience of communities at flood risk is enhanced – through the creation of local groups, raising of awareness, through physical intervention (natural or engineered defences) both at a community and personal level and, importantly, having the capacity in place to assist those communities who suffer flooding.

The SFF can help raise awareness and provide education and training to communities and community groups worried about flood risk and can support and advise on the set up and development of a Community Resilience Group in your area.

If your community suffers from flooding, or is at risk from future flood events, forming a community based flood resilience group can be an effective way to increase resilience to flooding – the SFF have helped to establish many community resilience groups in flood risk areas throughout Scotland by working closely with flood risk communities and responsible authorities.

They are committed to supporting flood risk communities across Scotland prepare, respond and recover from flooding. The SFF recognise the many benefits that can come from informed, active and engaged individuals and communities taking action in and for their local area.

For more information on how to set up a community flood resilience group, read the guidelines available on their website, or contact the SFF directly.