Flood Action Week is always an important date in our calendar. This year, members of the Watertight team joined colleagues from across the industry for discussions in Westminster and Hull, spoke with the public in Manchester and Leeds, and got hands-on with Scouts learning how to prepare for flooding at the end of the week!
Tuesday: Helping shape the future of PFR
Our week’s activities began with IPFRA’s Executive Committee meeting, with Gareth Boyd and Mark Arrowsmith in attendance, followed by its members’ meeting at RICS headquarters in Parliament Square.
These meetings gave us an opportunity to review the Association’s progress and contribute to future plans. Discussions ranged from the consistent application of standards to supporting people beyond installation.
Having time together as members also provided a valuable opportunity to ask questions and help to shape IPFRA’s priorities for the coming year.
Taking the conversation to Parliament
Later that day, we attended Flood Re’s BeFloodReady Parliamentary Reception.
The reception marked a preview of the refreshed BeFloodReady brand. Flood Re’s new chair Simon Green addressed attendees, alongside Flooding Minister Emma Hardy, the Environment Agency’s Julie Foley, and MP Robbie Moore.
The new Missy & Stanley’s Tale animation was also shown, demonstrating another way to start conversations about flooding with younger audiences. With Scout leaders also attending, there was a clear connection to the practical learning planned for later in the week.
Thursday: Sharing experience in Hull and Manchester
Thursday saw members of our team taking part in both industry discussions and public engagement.
At the PFR Roundtable at The Deep in Hull, we joined industry connections and colleagues to discuss industry progress, while Mark Bickerstaff joined the Floodmobile tour in Manchester. The aim here was to help visitors explore practical ways to make their homes more flood resilient. Seeing measures up close and talking through how they work can make PFR easier to understand.
Friday: Taking flood resilience conversations to Leeds
On Friday, Mark Bickerstaff joined the Floodmobile tour in Leeds. Listening to people’s concerns and answering their questions is an important part of our work, helping them prepare for flooding and make informed choices about resilience and recovery.
Saturday: Helping Scouts get flood ready
On Saturday, Mark A, Jess, Will, Mark B and Andy of our team volunteered at the BeFloodReady badge day at Raywell Park near Hull, where more than 100 Scouts took part in activities exploring flood risk, water safety and preparedness.
At our interactive water wall, Scouts could see how non-return valves help to limit water flowing back into a property. They also had a go at fitting a flood barrier and worked together to pick items for a flood preparedness pack.
These activities gave young people something practical to try, while also encouraging them to think about what their own family might do or need if flooding were expected.
Participants collected stamps in a “flood passport” as they completed activities, before receiving their very own BeFloodReady blanket badge.
It was such a rewarding day.
Keeping preparedness part of everyday delivery
Flood Action Week ultimately brought together many different parts of our work, from contributing to industry discussions to showing a young person how to fit a barrier.
The connection between them is practical and central to The Watertight Way: good advice, appropriate measures, careful installation and giving people the confidence to know what to do in the event of a future flood.
A busy week - and one we were proud to be part of.
