Situational Analysis
Seasonal challenges mean we need to be prepared to respond to a range of different crises and needs. This page provides insight from a variety of sources on topics which are likely to be of relevance to the VCS over the winter period. Follow the links below to access information, advice and government guidance.
Key Guidance
Adverse Weather and Health Plan
GOV: The Adverse Weather and Health Plan aims to protect individuals and communities from the health effects of adverse weather and to build community resilience.
Supporting vulnerable people
GOV: This guidance is for those with responsibilities for people currently sleeping rough in England
Age UK Winter Resources
AGE UK: Winter-related information and advice for organisations working with older people
Weather Warnings
Weather health alerting system
The alerting system provides an early warning when adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.
National Severe Weather Warning Service
Met Office resource that provides warnings up to seven days ahead for rain, thunderstorms, wind, snow, lightning, ice, extreme heat and fog.
Flood Guidance Statement
Produced by the Flood Forecasting Centre, it is a 5-day risk based product for England and Wales.
Check for flooding in England
Check for latest river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels along with the flood forecast for the next 5 days.
Emergency Alerts
Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby. In an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.
Cold Weather
WeatherReady
WeatherReady is a year-round campaign to help individuals, families and communities prepare for and cope with severe weather
WeatherReady Materials for Resilience Professionals
A range of Weather Ready material to support your local resilience activity, including partner toolkits
Community Resilience
Information to help you, your business and your community plan for severe weather.
AGE UK: Guide to keeping warm and well this winter
Cold weather can lead to worries about health and energy bills. This guidance leaflet explains how to get you and your home ready for winter, and points you in the right direction if there’s a problem.
RSPCA: Animal Welfare in Winter
A British winter can be tough on animals, but there are plenty of things you can do to help. Even small actions can sometimes make a big difference!
GOV: Keep Warm Keep Well Leaflet
Anyone can become unwell if they get too cold. It is important to follow this guidance so that you are prepared for cold weather and can take action to keep yourself warm.
AGE UK: Cold weather advice and tips
How to prepare when you are told to expect severe weather, especially winter storms, ice or snow.
Weather Hazards
BRC: How to prepare an emergency kit
Having the right kit is essential in an emergency. This guidance document explains what to have ready in your home, on the move and in your car.
BRC: How to prepare for a storm
Prepare and stay safe during a storm or thunderstorm. Advice on staying safe during a storm or thunderstorm in the UK. Find out how to prepare and protect your home.
Report a Weather Impact
The Met Office is helping to co-ordinate the growth of the weather observing community in the UK, by asking anyone to submit the observations they are taking. This can be done using all levels of equipment, so there are no cost restrictions.
GOV: Guidance on flood preparation
Plan how you’ll respond to a flood. Use the templates in the link provided to make a personal flood plan; community or group flood plan, business flood plan.
GOV: Report a flood or possible causing of flooding
Who you need to contact depends on what’s flooding
GOV: Guidance on flooding and health
This guide contains advice on what preparations should be made to reduce flood-related public and mental health risks and what should be done to protect people who are at increased risk.
GOV: Flooding and health
This guidance provides advice for everyone on how to keep you and your family safe while cleaning up your home affected by flooding
Flood Hub Resources
Within this page, you can find a wide range of flood-related resources to download. The toolkits are handy for an overview of different flood topics.
Flood Hub - Coastal Risk
The Flood Hub is designed to support communities preparing for flooding in the North West, but has many resources which can be applied nationally
National Flood Forum
National Flood Forum is a charity that helps, supports and represents people at risk of flooding. Here you can access advice and resources for creating an emergency kit and checklist, as well as information on insurance.
Power Outages and Water Supply
Find out who your energy provider is
Your energy network operator can tell you who your energy supplier is, if you're unsure or just don't know.
Find Your Local Water Supplier
If you are a household customer, you can check who provides your water and sewerage services by entering your postcode below.
Getting extra help from your energy network operator
Contact your local network operator about the Priority Services Register. The energy networks can help if you have additional needs because of your medical or personal circumstances.
Priority Services
There may be factors in your life which mean that you need extra help from your water companies in the way that you receive your water and sewerage services.
Priority Services Register for extra help from energy and water companies
You can sign up to a Priority Services Register (PSR) to receive extra help from your energy or water company.
Getting extra support from your energy supplier
If you find it hard to deal with your energy supply you could get extra help from your energy companies.
Energy Networks Association: Being Winter Ready
Find out how to prepare for storms and bad weather, get help from your network operator and find out what to do during a power cut.
Who do you call when you have a power cut?
You can call 105 to report or get information about power cuts in your local area.
BRC: Preparing for a Power Cut
Useful information from the British Red Cross to help prepare for a power cut and what to do if you're affected by a power outage in your area.
What to do if you can't afford to top up your prepayment meter
Citizen’s Advice writes about how you can get temporary credit if you can’t afford to top up your meter.
GOV.UK: Help with your energy bills
From 1st October, a new ‘Energy Price Guarantee’ will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas for UK households. This is automatic and applies to all households.
How to understand your energy bill
A typical household could save up to £564 a year by following energy saving tips by Energy Saving Trust.
GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born before 26 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
GOV.UK: Cold Weather Payment
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.
GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount Scheme
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2022 and March 2023.
AGE UK: Help with the cost of living
Information by Age UK that can help you feel more in control of your finances by understanding cost of living payments, energy saving tips and how to save on your water bill.
Electricity Supply Emergency Code
National arrangements for possible rota disconnections. An outline of the process for ensuring fair distribution of electricity rationing during a prolonged electricity shortage.
Warm Homes and Warm Spaces
A Warm Welcome: setting up a warm Space in your community
Welcoming people into your space is vital to ensuring that those who need it most feel able to use your space. Hostmanship is the art of making people feel welcome. Jan Gunarsson maps out six key areas of this: serving, maintaining the big picture, taking responsibility, caring, knowledge and dialogue.
Warm Spaces
An online directory of ‘warm banks’. with spaces to find warmth, community and help.
Warm Welcome UK
Over 3000 registered organisations have opened or are opening up free, warm, welcoming spaces for the public over this winter across the UK. The link provides a map to find a space.
Gateshead Council: Creating warm spaces this winter
Gateshead Council is establishing a network of Warm Spaces, where vulnerable residents can come together to stay warm and socialise.
Winter Warmth England
This website contains information, statistics and communication resources to help organisations ensure that vulnerable people stay safe, well and warm during the winter. The free resources are split into two target audiences – ‘families with children’ and ‘older people’.
SCOPE: Warm Home Discount
Warm Home Discount takes £150 off some people’s electricity bills between September and March. Find out if you’re eligible and how you can apply for it.
Disability Rights: Help with heating
These pages provide information on the help with heating you can get. Unless otherwise stated the help is UK-wide.
Health
Making Every Contact Count
An interactive learning resource to support people develop the knowledge and understanding to make every contact count by asking others about their health and wellbeing
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports
National influenza and COVID-19 report, monitoring COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
Seasonal vaccinations and winter health
Guidance from the NHS on how to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
GOV: Migrant health guide
Advice and guidance on the health needs of migrant patients for healthcare practitioners.
UKHSA: Top tips for keeping warm and well this winter
Details on how to look after yourself, keep warm and how to get financial support to stay warm.
GOV: Keeping warm and well
Some people are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell because of exposure to cold. There are dedicated guidance documents for those working with people in these groups.
NHS: Stay well this winter
Winter conditions can be bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 or older, and people with long-term conditions. Being cold can raise the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. But there are lots of things you can do to stay well this winter.