Our support in action
We respond to an emergency in the UK every four hours. Whether it's a fire in a home or a large-scale national emergency, you can contact us 24/7.
Incidents where we provide support
- Small scale emergencies including domestic fires and floods, and anti-human trafficking operations.
- Utility disruptions including power cuts, gas and water outages.
- Large scale emergencies including terrorist attacks, health emergencies, displacement and migration incidents and severe weather events.
Scalable support
We're able to scale our response depending on the need. Emergencies can strike at any time and anywhere. The British Red Cross can be there to give support to anyone affected. We provide the people, equipment, space and resources to support those affected by an emergency, helping them to recover.
Supporting at small-scale emergencies
When individuals are impacted by house fires or floods, it can be an extremely harrowing experience. Not only have people lost their homes and valuable possessions but the safety of themselves and their family has been put at risk.
In these distressing instances, we may be there to:
- Provide psychosocial support
Our Emergency Response teams can be there to provide psychosocial support to impacted people. Our volunteers are trained in CALMER, a support model that helps people who are distressed by upsetting and traumatic experiences, to be heard and supported in a calm, safe, trustworthy and empowering way. - Provide information and guidance
Our volunteers can provide guidance on next steps following a domestic fire or flood, which could include signposting for insurance and accommodation as well as empowering users to manage their own recovery.
Our teams can also signpost to British Red Cross services where an additional need is identified. For example by directing people to our hire a wheelchair service. Our Support Line also provides additional signposting information after the incident, including local services, British Red Cross services and ongoing emotional support where required.
- Provide practical support
After an emergency, people may have lost many of their belongings, including vital everyday essentials. The British Red Cross can provide stop-gap practical support where needed.
If a family has been evacuated from their home in the middle of the night due to a fire or flood, and they will not be able to return home for a while, the British Red Cross may be able to provide practical support such as clothing, hygiene kits or limited cash assistance to meet their immediate needs.
Support during utility disruptions
Utility disruptions can have a profound impact on individuals. At best, they can disrupt daily life, at worst they can put lives at risk. We can provide support whether it's a family that's been without running water for days, an elderly couple without gas for heating or a medically dependant individual without power.
Working alongside utility companies, we can:
- Provide psychosocial support
Using our CALMER model, our volunteers can provide emotional support in person by completing street assessments and door-to-door checks on the welfare of individuals.
We are also able to support remotely, offering welfare check-in calls which not only support the individual's emotional wellbeing, but also highlight potential needs that the utility company should prioritise. - Provide practical support
During a utility outage, people may be without heat, water or electricity. We can provide blankets to help keep people warm, distribute water and food and offer emotional support.
- Provide information and guidance
When providing support in person through door knocking or remote welfare support, our volunteers can also ensure that accurate information is being passed to individuals during utility outages. British Red Cross volunteers could hand out flyers or pass on updates on the situation, ensuring people remain informed throughout the emergency.
Supporting during large-scale emergencies
Large-scale disasters and emergencies can come in many different forms. It could be a terrorist incident or a large-scale incident such as the Grenfell Tower fire. In these situations, entire communities are affected.
Working alongside local authorities or category 1 and 2 responders, the British Red Cross can:
- Provide psychosocial support
Whether in a humanitarian assistance centre, rest centre, family and friends centre or at a vigil, our emergency response volunteers are trained to provide psychosocial support to individuals impacted by emergencies. Using our CALMER model, teams will ensure individuals get dedicated trauma-informed support. - Provide practical support
Following a large-scale disaster or emergency, individuals could be without access to their everyday essentials. British Red Cross may be able to support with the distribution of practical items and provide cash support where appropriate.
- Provide information and guidance
Ensuring clear communications is vital following a large-scale emergency, and the British Red Cross can support this. Either through supporting on scene or over the phone, volunteers are able to ensure information or guidance is disseminated following an emergency.
Teams can also ensure that individuals are able to access the right support following an emergency by signposting them to local external organisations or Red Cross services where required.
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Got any questions?
If you would like more information on the support we can offer during emergencies you can email the Crisis Response Team at CRT@redcross.org.uk.
Do you have a question about this page or want to give us feedback? Visit our Contact us page.