A bit about the Scottish Flood Forum

Who we are, what we do, who we help

What we do & why we do it

Our aim is to reduce the impacts of flooding on individuals and communities, through providing immediate support and by establishing a network of community resilience groups in flood risk areas to equip communities to cope with the impacts and threat of flooding.

Why? Firstly – we know what it is like to be affected by flooding – if you are at risk of flooding or have been flooded and want to know what to do – our team will support and advise you – whatever your query or concern.

So what do we do? – we provide advice and information to individuals to help protect their home from flooding or, if the worst has happened, to recover from flooding. We do this via our publications and website, via our enquiry line or where necessary, face to face.

We help raise awareness and provide education and training to communities and community groups worried about flood risk and can support and advise on the set up and development of a Community Resilience Group in your area.

Local help in the community

We work with local authorities and their partners in raising community awareness, promoting self help and developing community groups. We also work with local authorities to establish a recovery support programme after a flood to ensure support is in place for the affected communities for the long term.

What We Do - Flood Image
SFF Exhibition

Our experience

Firstly – we know what it is like to be affected by flooding. Flooding can have devastating implications for people and their property. The effects on communities and individuals can last for years. Because we have experienced flooding ourselves, we understand the huge consequences – both practical and emotional – that follow the flooding of homes and communities.

Such flooding can start from various sources (e.g. rivers, the sea, surface water and the sewerage system) but the negative impacts are the same. Many people face being out of their homes for months, the process of property drying and repair can be a difficult experience. Repair work can sadly, be of a poor standard, and holding down work and family commitments can for many people be too much.

Flooded street

This is why we provide support and help to those who are faced with going through this experience – because we have been there too – either through direct experience or by walking with people as they deal with, and recover from, flooded homes. Our experience over the past 14 years is both unique and relevant to anyone facing flooding.

Sadly climate change is predicted to increase the risk of such flooding throughout Scotland over the coming decades so the problem is not going to go away.

It is therefore becoming even more important that the resilience of communities at flood risk is enhanced – through the creation of local groups, raising of awareness, through physical intervention (natural or engineered defences) both at a community and personal level and, importantly, having the capacity in place to assist those communities who suffer flooding.

Our team can help.

Flood sign & car

Our team members

Carol Raeburn

Carol Raeburn

Director

Paul Hendy

Paul Hendy

Community Support and Recovery (2009 - 2020)

Paul Laidlaw

Community Resilience

Kirsty MacRae

Kirsty MacRea

Project Coordinator

Shona Sloan

Shona Sloan

Administrator

Our trustees

Philip Wright

Philip Wright

Stewart Prodger

Stewart Prodger

Ralph Throp

Ralph Throp

John Brown

John Brown

James McLeod

James McLeod

Gail Walker

Gail Walker

Dave Gowans

Dave Gowans

Stuart Cullen

Alan Werrity

Alan Werrity

Russell Willis Taylor

How we are funded

We are currently mainly funded by a grant from Scottish Government, with donations and other small grants making up the remainder of our income. We make no charge for our services to individuals or communities, but donations to support our work are welcome.

Reports & plans

SFF Business Plan
Trustees Report 2017
Trustees Report 2017
Trustees Report 2017
Trustees Report 2020

Our current vacancies

Community Resilience Manager

Salary circa £31,000 pa. depending upon experience. We are recruiting for a Community Resilience Manager to join our Team to develop and deliver our community resilience work across Scotland. The post holder will be home based within mainland Scotland, with More info…

Our story so far

2017
November 11

Localised flooding & website update

Another year with localised flooding in various parts of Scotland. The SFF focused on the long term recovery of people still struggling with flooding in previous years and working with communities to build resilience to future flooding. We updated our website and re-commenced our Peer to Peer networking events

2016
June 9

Flood risk management plans published

Flood Risk Management Plans published by local authorities across Scotland.

January 11

Scottish flood forum

The SFF worked extensively throughout Aberdeenshire supporting many flooded communities throughout 2016 and into 2017.

2015
December 26

Extreme winter flooding

Extreme winter flooding (starting in December 2015) in Cumbria and Aberdeenshire as well as other areas across Scotland.

November 9

New team member

Paul Laidlaw joins the SFF team as Community Resilience Manager in November

July 9

Summer flooding

Summer flooding in Alyth, Bankfoot and other communities throughout Perthshire.

January 4

Scottish flood forum

Working in flooded communities in Dumfries and Galloway, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City, Moray, Scottish Borders, Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross, Glasgow and Highland. Read more… (PDF)

January 1

Flood risk management strategies approved

SEPA has Flood Risk Management Strategies for Scotland approved by Scottish Government – SFF recognised and named as contributor to actions.

2014
November 9

Major flooding in south of England

Major flooding in south of England including Thames valley

July 9

Summer flash flooding and the SFF

Summer flash flooding in Moray (Dallas and Hopeman). The SFF engaged across Scotland- Read more…PDF

2013
December 2

New director

Kirsty MacRae joins the SFF as Director – December.

December 1

The SFF – a charitable organisation

The SFF becomes a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC043783), SFF Board appointed and governance put in place. Philip Wright is our first Chairman.

April 9

Flooding in north of Scotland

April flooding in Aberdeenshire (Stonehaven) and Highland (Inverness). The SFF supports these communities.

2012
October 9

Heavy flooding in Fife

Heavy flooding in Fife, Perthshire and other areas of Scotland. The SFF supporting many communities.

2011
October 9

Flooding in Highland

Flooding in Highland, Dumfries and Galloway and other areas. The SFF supports these communities.

September 16

Floodline launch

SEPA launches new Floodline direct warning service

2010
October 9

Flooding in Dumfries and Galloway

Flooding in Dumfries and Galloway, Stonehaven (Aberdeenshire) and others. The SFF starts working across these communities.

2009
November 11

The Scottish flood forum is formed

Working in partnership with the National Flood Forum, the Scottish Flood Forum (SFF) project is launched in November 2009, funded by the Scottish Government, supported by SEPA. Paul Hendy is employed to run the project.

November 3

Major flooding across Scotland

Major flooding across Scotland in particular Fife, Perthshire, Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire and Dumfries & Galloway.

September 16

The FRM (Scotland) Act

The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 enacted in June.

2008
November 16

The Pitt review

The Pitt Review – Learning Lessons from the 2007 Floods is published

2007
July 7

Major summer flooding

Major summer flooding across the UK, including Scotland, East Yorkshire and Gloucestershire. Hull floods – Paul Hendy and others are heavily involved in setting up recovery programmes and working throughout England and Wales