The government should regard civil society as “critical national infrastructure” in its crisis response preparedness planning, a new report has argued.
The report from the Young Foundation, commissioned by Local Trust, warns that the UK is not currently equipped to protect its citizens from crisis.
Supported by VCS Emergencies Partnership, the report says that the country depends on networks of trust, mutual aid and voluntary infrastructure that mobilise during emergencies.
It says that voluntary organisations provided essential support during recent crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, floods, fires and civil unrest and urges the government to help more members of civil society to build relationships with state services and large national responders.
When distributing resources, the government should ensure that different attention and efforts are allocated based on varying circumstances, it suggests.
It recommends that any national message must be combined with context-specific information to increase household preparedness and do them in partnership with trusted, local actors in civil society.
Moving from ‘warm gratitude to practical action’
Helen Goulden, chief executive of the Young Foundation, said: “The role of the public, communities, and the voluntary sector is downgraded in many national policy debates about crisis preparedness. That needs to change.
“The UK population is underprepared for the crises we face. Recent history shows us that – in the face of pandemics, fires and floods – civil society carries the heaviest burden in crisis response and recovery, yet receives the least recognition and investment.
“Indeed, it’s proved time and again that community groups, informal networks, and neighbours are more trusted than government when a crisis hits.
“Civil society should therefore be recognised as ‘critical national infrastructure’ in the UK. If we don't learn from these experiences and shift our approach now, we risk devastating consequences for our most vulnerable communities when – not if – the next crisis occurs.
“The causes of our crises are often varied and unpredictable. But the impacts of those crises are often common and predictable. We can – and must – do better to prepare for them.”
Robyn Knox, VCS emergencies partnership director, said: “It is so important we move the conversation on from warm gratitude to practical action.
“We must recognise charities and community groups as we understand what it is that makes our households, neighbourhoods and communities resilient.
“This report is a timely reminder of the lead role the voluntary and community sector plays in resilience building. A role that should be recognised, invested in and learnt from.”
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