When:

16th January 2008, 12:00PM

Where:

Demos

On the 16th January we will be holding the first of our Resilient Nation podcasts. The podcast will explore the role of volunteers and volunteering in helping to build community resilience. 

According to Volunteering England 27 per cent of the population volunteers each month, either on their own or as a member of one of thousands of formal or informal organisations up an down the country; from national charities and local self help groups, to neighbourhood watch schemes, welfare services, radio amateurs and flood wardens. Hundreds of networks made up of individuals and organisations span the UK supporting families and communities on a daily basis and are regularly called upon in major emergencies and natural disasters.

What role do volunteers have in building community resilience? What motivates people to become engaged in such activities? Does the catalyst for community effort come from within communities or is it stimulated by external actors?  How should central government and local authorities support the voluntary effect in times of crisis? Do formal or informal relationships between communities and organisations work best before, during or after incidents? How should authorities communicate and engage with volunteers?

Speakers include Rosanna Briggs, Deputy County Emergency Planning Officer, Essex County Council; Mary Donahue, Chief Executive of the National Flood Forum; Jacqui Campbell, Head of Community and Culture, Dacorum Borough Council; Moya Wood-Heath, Emergency Planning and Civil Protection Adviser, Red Cross; and Kathy Settle, Deputy Director, Local Response Capability, Cabinet Office.

The podcast will be available to download the week beginning 18th January. If you would like to take part in this podcast please email Charlie Edwards.