Building Resilience Through Partnership - The Journey of Support Staffordshire and the Emergencies Partnership
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Support Staffordshire approached the Emergencies Partnership (EP) with a degree of scepticism. The partnership, initially perceived as a top-down attempt to manage local responses, has since evolved into a vital and valued part of Staffordshire’s community resilience infrastructure.
This transformation was not accidental. It stemmed from a fundamental shift in how the EP positioned itself - from a coordinator to a connector, offering real value to local actors. For Support Staffordshire, this meant access to a broader network, strategic insights, and a sense of community for those working in isolation on complex resilience challenges.
Michelle, the lead staff member at Support Staffordshire dedicated to resilience, found in the EP, a lifeline. The partnership provided her with a national peer network, timely information, and strategic direction - elements that are often missing when there is only person holding such a critical portfolio. Her participation in the National Consortium for Societal Resilience [UK+] (NCSR+) Conference, funded by the EP, was a turning point. It helped embed community resilience as a strategic priority for Support Staffordshire.
In the early days, the partnership helped bridge gaps with the Staffordshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF). Three years on, the LRF is now engaging more meaningfully with the voluntary sector, thanks in part to the credibility and connections fostered by Support Staffordshire and supported by the EP. This includes stronger ties with national and local partners like REACT, British Red Cross and many others, through the development of the Staffordshire Voluntary Emergency Network.
Yet, the case of Staffordshire also highlights a broader truth: relationships thrive when there is something tangible to work on. While the EP provides the scaffolding and the know-how, it’s the local leadership and resourcing - like Michelle’s role - which are essential to sustain and deepen these connections.
Support Staffordshire’s journey with the EP is a testament to the power of partnership rooted in trust, shared purpose, and strategic alignment. It shows that effective resilience work doesn’t rely on a single model but on principles - local knowledge, strong relationships, and empowered link people. Whether those individuals sit in local authorities or community infrastructure bodies, their curiosity, openness, and ability to connect are what truly make the difference.
The ripple effects of this relationship are evident. Support Staffordshire is now collaborating closely with the Rural Flood Resilience Partnership through Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) to input into the Environment Agency flooding and resilience programmes. While the EP wasn't directly involved in initiating these projects, its influence is unmistakable, laying the groundwork for connections and strategic alignment.