The team

The good progress made over the last two years in flood affected areas has been achieved through a small and dedicated team spread throughout Scotland and together with the help of partner organisations the Scottish Flood Forum team’s ethos is:

“To improve understanding and awareness of the risks and effects of flooding to communities throughout Scotland, and to facilitate effective support to them”.

Paul Hendy
Director

I was tasked with establishing the Scottish Flood Forum in 2008 in response to a request from the Scottish Government. Who recognised a need for an independent organisation to provide community support to flooded and flood risk areas.

I have been heavily involved for a number of years with communities who have borne the brunt of flooding. This followed 20 years as an ordained Salvation Army Officer.

My background in flooding includes:

• In 2005 I directed the Carlisle flood recovery programme know as Communities ReUnited, effectively a community partnership between local churches, the voluntary sector and Carlisle City Council. This programme met the ongoing practical and emotional needs of flood victims following the Carlisle floods and conducted valuable research into the effects of flood trauma on flood victims.

• Following extensive flooding in Yorkshire and Humberside in 2007, and Morpeth 2008 I worked directly with the Environment Agency, local authorities, the voluntary sector and communities where I adapted key parts from the ‘Communities ReUnited’ programme as a model for flood recovery. My work also involved mediation and resolution of many insurance claim difficulties and property restoration problems for flood victims.

In my current role as Director for the Scottish Flood Forum (funded by the Scottish Government), there are a wide range of partnerships with local authorities, the voluntary sector, Strategic Co-ordinating Group (SCG), and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in developing recovery support following flooding in communities, and from this, knowledge to minimise the effects of further flooding to property.

I believe that Community Flood Resilience Groups should be at the heart of all ‘at risk communities’ and community awareness and knowledge is at the heart of recovery. This developing project also seeks to address business continuity planning and providing awareness of flood warnings regarding vulnerability and flood resilience together with SEPA, local authorities and communities.

As the Director for the Scottish Flood Forum, I am responsible for the day-to-day running of the Forum, flood recovery operations throughout Scotland, and community flood resilience groups from the central belt (Glasgow and Edinburgh corridor) to the Scottish Borders.

As with the rest of the team we are all hear to help so please feel free to ask us any flood related questions you have.

Claire Jack
Community Flood Resilience Group Co-ordinator (Central North)

I originally pursued an academic career and researched subjects as diverse as crofting and the history of waste. Interesting as this was, I really felt I wanted to apply my environmental and social knowledge in a hands on setting, which meant a move into the community sector where I worked for a number of years on local community projects before joining the Scottish Flood Forum.

I am fortunate enough never to have experienced flooding first hand and can only imagine how devastating it must be. I hope that my experience of working with volunteers and community groups will allow me to provide the type of support, advice and information that will help people who have experienced flooding to deal with this situation. Most importantly, I want to help people to empower themselves against the threat of floods by helping them to set up community groups and to ensure they have access in advance to crucial information and advice to help prevent flooding.

I too am a Community Flood Resilience Group co-ordinator with the Scottish Flood Forum and work with the Community Flood Resilience Groups in Perth & Kinross, Stirlingshire and Fife regions.

Fiona Watson
Community Flood Resilience Group Co-ordinator (North)

As well as a mum of three I also work throughout the country with the Scottish Flood Forum.

I became involved with the Forum for a number of reasons and like many others I have been affected by the trauma of flooding.

Coming from an agricultural and equestrian background has provided me with a great knowledge and interest in the environment and the effect humans have on it and, subsequently I went on to study Environment & Heritage at the Highlands & Islands University.

We were flooded in Huntly in 2009 and this led to my introduction to flood affected communities on a very personal level and I now aim to provide help, assistance and hope to anyone affected by flooding or the threat of flooding within their community; I also aim to consolidate communities to work together in a community flood group to alleviate and aid flood prevention.

On a personal level after the Scottish Flood Forum helped my own community I feel privileged to be working closely with Paul Hendy and the team at the Scottish Flood Forum!

My role in the Scottish Flood Forum is as Community Flood Resilience Group co-ordinator, which means I’m responsible for Community Flood Resilience Groups in the North (Angus, Grampian and Highland regions).

I’m here to help so please feel free to get in touch