Voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations are invited to take part in a practical online training session exploring the fundamentals of crisis management and organisational resilience.
Delivered in collaboration with Horizon Resilience, the session will help organisations better understand how crises are anticipated, managed and responded to, as well as the important role the voluntary and community sector plays within wider resilience arrangements.
The training is particularly aimed at organisations supporting communities and groups who may be disproportionately affected during emergencies and major disruptions.
Why crisis preparedness matters
Emergencies and major disruptions can affect communities in different ways.
People already experiencing health inequalities, financial hardship, social isolation or barriers to accessing services may face additional challenges during events such as extreme weather, flooding, power or water outages, public health emergencies and disruption to essential services.
VCFSE organisations are often closely connected to these communities. They may provide trusted information, identify emerging needs, maintain essential support and help ensure that people who may otherwise be overlooked are included within wider responses.
However, many smaller organisations operate outside formal emergency planning and resilience structures and may have had limited opportunities to access practical crisis management training.
This session aims to help bridge that gap.
What will the training cover?
Drawing on Horizon Resilience’s experience at the heart of UK government crisis management, the session will provide a practical introduction to the principles of crisis management and resilience.
Participants will explore:
- How crisis management and resilience operate within the UK.
- The different stages of a crisis, from anticipating potential risks through to response, stabilisation and recovery.
- How voluntary and community organisations fit within the wider resilience system.
- The role community organisations can play before, during and after an emergency.
- How organisations can improve their confidence and preparedness for disruption.
- How different sectors can work together to support communities effectively.
The session will also include a scenario-based discussion, giving participants an opportunity to apply their learning, consider how they might respond to a developing situation and learn from the experiences and perspectives of others.
Who is the training for?
Places are limited, with priority given to VCFSE organisations that:
- Support people and communities who may be disproportionately affected during a crisis.
- Sit outside formal resilience and emergency planning structures.
- Have limited experience or understanding of crisis management arrangements.
- Want to strengthen their organisation’s preparedness and ability to respond to disruption.
Other organisations are welcome to express an interest, but the session is intended primarily to increase access to crisis and resilience knowledge among groups that may not usually be involved in formal planning structures.
No previous crisis management or emergency planning experience is required.
About Horizon Resilience
Horizon Resilience provides specialist support in crisis preparation, resilience and recovery.
Founded by Scott and Christie, the organisation brings more than 25 years of combined experience from the Home Office, including designing and leading national crisis structures and supporting responses to some of the most complex emergencies faced in the UK.
Its work aims to increase organisations’ confidence in responding to disruption, strengthen collaboration between the public, private, voluntary and academic sectors, and help protect the services and systems that people rely on.
Strengthening the role of the voluntary and community sector
VCFSE organisations bring valuable local knowledge, trusted relationships and an understanding of the needs and strengths within their communities.
Building stronger connections between community organisations and wider resilience systems can help improve planning, strengthen communication and support more inclusive responses when disruption occurs.
This training provides an opportunity to develop practical knowledge, better understand where the sector fits and consider how organisations can prepare before a crisis happens.
Session details
Crisis Fundamentals with Horizon Resilience
Delivery: Online
Date: Tuesday 15th September
Time: 10:00-11:30
Places are limited, and priority will be given to organisations supporting disproportionately impacted communities and those with less experience of formal resilience structures.
Register your interest
Register by emailing marcusbowen@vcsep.org.uk
