26th May 2025
Another aid to community resilience is having people locally who have undertaken various forms of training such as first aid.
The British Red Cross have produced a detailed report on the benefits first aiders can bring to community resilience – “Being socially connected is related to an individual’s willingness to act, with those stating a willingness to act also reporting they feel part of a community, the community watch out for each other, and that people in the community are willing to,help each other.” (1)
And St John’s Ambulance highlights the benefits of mental health first aid – “Through active listening and creating a safe space for open conversations, Mental Health First Aiders contribute to a healthier and more resilient community.” (2)
There are equally benefits for communities that have the services of search and rescue volunteers. Volunteer teams cover both remote mountain terrains and flatter rural and urban areas too.
“Often when people hear the words “search and rescue “they have an image of an off-shore rescue, snow covered mountains or fast flowing waters. The Lowland Rescue teams including CRS can also be involved in fast water or weather-related incidents, but we often find ourselves having to search villages, towns and cities for missing persons.
These urban areas have many challenges including, buildings, both occupied and derelict, park land, waterways, gardens, roads and people to name but a few. The specialised Lowland Rescue training that our volunteers receive, which is always delivered to a national standard, prepares them for all eventualities.” (3)
Equally communities could benefit from having people who have fire fighting skills. (4)
(2) https://www.sja.org.uk/courses/workplace-mental-health-first-aid/mental-health-first-aid/book/
(3) https://www.communityrescue.org/service/land-search-and-rescue/
(4) https://fireengland.uk/recruitment/ways-get-involved
The Green Tau 