Being prepared and looking out for one another
A little preparation can make an unexpected power cut, storm or interruption to water supplies easier to manage. Knowing where the torch is, having useful telephone numbers written down and checking whether a neighbour needs anything are simple steps that can make a real difference.
The Government’s Be Ready campaign, launched on 22 October 2026, encourages households to take practical steps to cope with temporary disruption to everyday services. Its advice includes preparing, where possible, for three days of disruption, helping emergency services concentrate on those who need the most support. The emphasis is on manageable actions that people can take according to their circumstances.
Preparation can begin with what we already have at home. A working torch, warm clothing, a charged power bank and a small supply of drinking water and food that needs no cooking can be useful. The Government advises checking cupboards first and gradually adding missing essentials when affordable. Nobody should feel they must buy everything at once. Writing down important contact numbers and agreeing how household members would contact each other are useful steps too.
Neighbourliness is equally valuable. A friendly conversation today can make it easier to ask for help tomorrow. With their agreement, we might exchange telephone numbers with a neighbour, offer to check on someone living alone or help a person who cannot access information online. Asking “Would you like me to check in if the power goes off?” respects someone’s independence while offering reassurance.
Support should work both ways. Someone who needs help with shopping may have excellent local knowledge, useful practical skills or the time to telephone others. A resilient community recognises what everyone can contribute and makes it comfortable to ask for assistance.
Resilience simply means being better able to cope with disruption and recover afterwards. For a parish, that might involve understanding who can help, which local organisations have useful resources and how accurate information can reach residents. Any arrangements should respect people’s privacy and complement the work of emergency services.
Communities Prepared’s November training programme offers an opportunity to explore these subjects. Sessions cover power outages, storms and flooding, alongside workshops on resilience, mapping community assets and emergency planning. Trusted Voices in Emergencies focuses on communicating reliable information when people need it.
Training dates in November 2026
| Date | Training session | Start time |
| Tuesday 3 November | Preparing for Power Outages | 5.30 pm |
| Monday 9 November | Storms and Community Action | 5.30 pm |
| Wednesday 11 November | Flooding and Community Action | 5 pm |
| Monday 23 November | Understanding Resilience Workshop | 5.30 pm |
| Tuesday 24 November | Understanding Asset Mapping Workshop | 5.30 pm |
| Wednesday 25 November | Understanding Community Emergency Planning Workshop | 5.30 pm |
| Monday 30 November | Trusted Voices in Emergencies | 5.30 pm |
All times are UK time. Residents, councillors and community volunteers are encouraged to explore the sessions that interest them.
Full details and registration: https://www.communitiesprepared.org.uk/events/
For practical household advice, visit the Government’s Be Ready website. People who may need additional help during interruptions to utilities can also check their eligibility for the free Priority Services Register.
Government Be Ready advice: https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/
Priority Services Register: https://www.thepsr.co.uk/
We can begin with one small action: find the torch, write down a useful number or talk to your neighbour about this. Familiar faces, thoughtful preparation and a willingness to help are foundations on which a stronger community.