“When emergencies happen, people often feel compelled to help. Professionals and volunteers train for emergencies, but other members of the community can also be involved through acts of good neighbourliness and spontaneous volunteering. Bringing people and organisations together to form effective networks is key to building community resilience, preparing for emergencies, and making the best use of all available resources. If the worst happens, members of the public can often rally their skills and resources to help their community. No matter who wants to help, what abilities they have, or whether they have volunteered previously, there may be ways for them to help. Even if people feel motivated and able to help, in many cases it is best not to just turn up at the scene of an emergency and begin working. This could be dangerous and overwhelm the emergency services. Instead, it is best to get involved via the structures that have been established in the local area, so everyone can work safely for the benefit of those who need help. This means looking out for calls for support from a local authority, or national and local charities and, most importantly, performing essential acts of good neighbourliness.” National Audit Office – National Risk Register 2025

Here we are at the beginning of the work needed to support our community when emergencies happen – emergencies like heatwaves, storms, but also other threats that perhaps we haven’t thought about yet.

If you’d like to get involved in setting up the plan, volunteering to help in an emergency, offering resources – please fill out this short form here.

Below are some posts with info for current emergencies and some info about what we are doing – click on the underlined word to go to the post:

• Heatwaves and wildfires – what to do, how to prevent, forward planning for wildfire emergencies
  Prolonged dry periods and continuing hot weather increase the risk of fire – particularly wild fires and field fires which if they are not quickly controlled can threaten nearby properties. There have already been a number of wildfires and field fires this summer and there are several areas in Windsor and Maidenhead where houses border… Read more: Heatwaves and wildfires – what to do, how to prevent, forward planning for wildfire emergencies
• Cool Spaces
  A list of places that provide sanctuary from the heat. When the temperature goes over 30 degrees you can find some where cool to sit at one of these places. Some have facilities like toilets, cafes and water – others are just a place to be.
• Why do we need an emergency plan?
  Find out more about community emergency plans and how we might create one for Windsor and Maidenhead
• Practical things to do to help in a heatwave
  Find out how you can help your community and yourself when the heat hits 30 degrees plus