Freuchie Flood Action Group

Freuchie Flood Action Group is delighted to announce Paul Hendy of the Scottish Flood Forum will be coming along on the evening of the 4th of December to present a talk on Flood Trauma. The presentation will be 7:00pm for 7:15pm at the Lomond Hills Hotel in Freuchie.

All are welcome to attend this public presentation. Please let us know if you’re coming along using our Contact Us form.

Abstract

In this talk, Paul will discuss the emotional, human and social impact of flooding on individuals and communities. He will explore the impact of flood trauma upon flood victims and the steps they can take to better manage and cope with the high levels of stress involved. As part of the talk, Paul will provide a unique flood trauma test to the audience so they can measure their own levels of stress.

Speak Bio

Paul Hendy began his career with the Electricity Board but later moved to the Voluntary Sector.

Following theological training, he was ordained as a Salvation Army Officer. His subsequent appointments throughout the UK included time in Northern Ireland. Building on these experiences, he was called on to assist at a variety of major UK incidents including the Kegworth Air Disaster and the aftermath of IRA mainland bombings.

In 2005 Paul directed the 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 as they battled to return home. He also conducted valuable research into the effects of Flood Trauma on flood victims.

Following flooding in Yorkshire and Humberside in 2007, Paul worked directly with Local Authorities and Communities where he adapted key parts from the ‘Communities ReUnited’ programme as a model for flood recovery. His work also involved him in mediation and dealing with insurance claim difficulties and problems for flood victims.

He is involved as a consultant and advisor in developing flood recovery programmes and recovery training with Local Authorities and the Voluntary Sector and following the recent flooding in Morpeth with the community in that area.

His current role for the next 3 years is developing community flood groups, throughout Scotland, providing resources, knowledge and support to at risk or previously flooded communities. This developing project seeks to address the issues regarding vulnerability and flood resilience to Authorities and communities.

Technorati Tags: Fife, flooding, flood trauma, Freuchie, Freuchie Flood Action Group, Paul Hendy, Scottish Flood Forum, trauma

Our "Person of the Week" award (a hypothetical award with no cash rewards or other grandiose prizes) is rightly destined for one man this week: Paul Hendy of the Scottish Flood Forum.

He receives our gratitude for inviting Freuchie Flood Action Group along to the launch event for the Scottish Flood Forum on Monday. He has opened many doors for us thereby allowing another front to the campaign.

Photo: Paul Hendy, our "Person of the Week", at the Scottish Flood Forum Launch

Paul will be visiting Freuchie soon to deliver his nationally famous talk on "Flood Trauma". More of that in a post to come very soon, but let’s say the evening of Thursday 4th of December should be penciled into the diary. Certainly one not to be missed.

Technorati Tags: flood, Freuchie, Freuchie Flood Action Group, Paul Hendy, Scottish Flood Forum, trauma

We’ve had a busy week in the media thanks once again to the Fife Herald and The Courier: one mention in the Fife Herald and two in The Courier.

Both newspapers focused on our participation in the launch event for the Scottish Flood Forum and the meeting of Freuchie Flood Action Group committee members with Mr Mike Russell MSP, Minister for the Environment and his department officials.

They also highlighted the ministers acceptance of a visit to Freuchie in the new year. We’ll keep you informed of progress with the ministers visit as developments and plans are made.

Thanks go to Liz Rougvie of the Fife Herald and Cheryl Wood of The Courier for their continued interest in our plights and more especially their support.

References
Fife Herald, page 5, 14/11/08 – Full story here
The Courier, page 5, 11/11/08
The Courier, page 4, 14/11/08

Technorati Tags: Cheryl Wood, Fife, Fife Herald, Freuchie, Liz Rougvie, Mike Russell MSP, Scottish Flood Forum, The Courier

The Courier has today reported on the launch of the Scottish Flood Forum by Mike Russell MSP, Minister for the Environment and attended by members of Freuchie Flood Action Group on Monday.

However, unlike so many other media outlets that simply regurgitated the press release put out by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Flood Forum, The Courier reporter sought out our view on this important development.

A little taster from the article:

Chairman John Thomson later told The Courier he hoped the forum would bring political pressure to bear, pushing local authorities to do more to help.

He said, "The Scottish Government has given its full backing for this forum and as that filters down to local authority level hopefully we will see a lot more being done.

During the launch event on Monday, Neil Duff and John Thomson took the opportunity to network with other flood survivors. Whilst speaking with one of the flood affect Broxburn residents it became apparent that West Lothian Council demonstrated a duty of care over and above any statutory obligation. One resident told of them even coming along to wash the mud from the stone chips in his driveway and footpath. Further, he only had praise and pride in the response shown by council officials and workers post flood.

Technorati Tags: Fife, flooding, Freuchie, Mike Russell MSP, Scottish Flood Forum, Scottish Government, The Courier, West Lothian Council

Today saw the official launch of the Scottish Flood Forum by Mr Mike Russell MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for the Environment. Also in attendance  at the launch event held in Broxburn were representatives from the National Flood Forum, Scottish Government, West Lothian Council, SEPA and our very own Neil Duff and John Thomson from Freuchie Flood Action Group.

Before the official launch announcement, Freuchie Flood Action Group Chairman John Thomson persuaded Mr Mike Russell MSP to spend a few moments discussing flooding, the launch of the Scottish Flood Forum and the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill that is currently going through the Scottish Parliament. We’ve managed to splice together a little video of this impromptu interview and hope our amateur videographer standards meet the expectation of the Minister, who is a professional film maker. A big thank you to the Minister for being so accommodating and for being such a star in front of the camera.

High quality BLIP TV version…

The formal part of the day began with Mr Mike Russell MSP announcing funding over the next three years from the Scottish Government for the Scottish Flood Forum. He went on to state that Mr Paul Hendy will work with Local Authorities, SEPA and communities at risk from flooding with a view to flood prevention, flood risk assessment and assisting communities in the aftermath of flooding. Further, Mr Russell stated that flooding issues were the responsibility of SEPA for Flood Warning and Flood Risk Awareness notification and the Local Authority for Flood Defence.

Following on from the Minister’s opening speech, Mr Phil Awford, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Flood Forum, and Mr Paul Hendy, newly appointed Director of the Scottish Flood Forum, both made short speeches where they welcomed the Scottish Government funding that has made the Scottish Flood Forum a reality. They went on to provide some background to the scope of the project and how they hoped to improve flood support in Scotland.

Photo (Left to right): Paul Hendy, Phil Awford and Mike Russell MSP

It was heartening to listen to all of the speakers making reference to the effect flooding has on those affected, a point that clearly demonstrates a depth of understanding about flooding being much more than the material damage to property.

The official press release for the launch event:

News Release

November 10, 2008

NEW FORUM TO HELP TACKLE THE THREAT OF FLOODING

A new forum to support individuals to protect themselves against flooding was launched today by the Environment Minister.

The Scottish Flood Forum – funded by the Government, set up by the National Flood Forum and supported by SEPA – will raise awareness of flood warnings and self-help measures, while providing an independent voice for flood victims.

Launching the forum in Broxburn, West Lothian which was hit by flash flooding due to heavy rain this summer, Michael Russell said:"The new Scottish Flood Forum aims to give people practical advice which we can all heed to help protect ourselves against flooding, by raising awareness of flood warnings and self-help measures. "It is increasingly important to raise awareness of flooding in this way, following one of the wettest summers on record, and the risk is only likely to increase with climate change in years to come. "Flooding is highly distressing for its victims and the forum will also play an important role in providing an independent voice for those affected by flooding or at high risk from its devastating impact.

"By investing £180,000 in this forum, we aim to provide the means to help people identify and reduce flood risk wherever possible to protect our environment, our people and our economy."Chief Executive of the National Flood Forum Mary Dhonau, who has also been a victim of flooding, said: "It has always been our ambition to open a branch in Scotland and to give the much needed and necessary support to people at risk of flooding in Scotland. We are delighted that Scottish Government has recognised the valuable work we do and is supporting us financially to enable us to work with and support both the victims and those at risk of flooding in Scotland." SEPA Flood Unit Manager, David Faichney added:"SEPA welcomes the introduction of the National Flood Forum to Scotland and we look forward to working with them to help support Scotland’s flood risk communities."NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY – Monday November 10

13.30 – Minister for Environment, Mr Russell will meet local residents of Burnside Action Group affected by flooding at 14 Newhouses Road, Burnside, Broxburn, West Lothian followed by visit to Burnvale to see flood damage.

1.The National Flood Forum was set up in England and Wales in 2002, following the floods of 2000. The forum provides support and advice to communities and individuals who have been flooded or are at risk of being flooded. It is run by people who have had first hand experience of the trauma, loss and frustration of being flooded or have first hand experience of supporting the victims of flooding, both during and after the event.

2. The establishment of the National Flood Forum in Scotland follows a recommendation from the Flooding Issues Advisory Committee in 2007. Supported by SEPA, the Scottish Flood Forum will help establish a network of community-based groups in areas at high risk of flooding.

3. Scottish Government has agreed funding over the next three years;2008/09 – £23,500 (six months) plus £7,000 start up costs for SEPA 2009/10 – £50,0002010/11 – £70,0002011/12 – £36,000 (six months)

4. The forum will also promote a more sustainable approach to flood risk management through awareness, avoidance, alleviation and assistance. A commitment to sustainable flood risk management is a key element of the new Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament. The Bill was introduced in September.

For more information go to:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/15-FloodRisk/index.htm

Freuchie Flood Action Group welcomes the launch of the Scottish Flood Forum and more especially the interest and support shown by the Scottish Government, SEPA, some local authorities, local and national politicians and other groups involved in flooding. We hope to see Fife Council becoming an active participant in the Scottish Flood Forum project as it expands its scope over the coming months.

Photo: Neil Duff (left) and John Thomson (right) of Freuchie Flood Action Group meet Mike Russell MSP, Minister for the Environment  

Thanks go out to Mr Paul Hendy for the invitation along to today’s launch and to everyone involved in the logistics and organisation of this successful event.

We must also give special mention to the Minister and other officials from the Scottish Government, all of whom spent time listening to the flooding plight of Freuchie and then went on to offer advice and guidance.

The residents of Freuchie look forward to welcoming the Minister and government officials to Freuchie in the new year.

Technorati Tags: blip.TV, Fife, Fife Council, Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill, flooding, Freuchie, Freuchie Flood Action Group, Lothian Council, Mike Russell MSP, National Flood Forum, Paul Hendy, Scottish Flood Forum, Scottish Government, SEPA, YouTube

We’ve eventually managed to source some very good photos that speak volumes on how bad the August 13th flood event was at Freuchie Mill in Freuchie, Fife.

Of course the iconic shed had to feature in there. Alas it is no longer with us materially, but it will be with all the flood survivors spiritually for a long time to come.

If you look closely, you may just be able to see the very top of the roof of the only car to have been drowned, but that has been subsequently resurrected: the old style Mini Cooper.

Thanks go to George and Margaret Brown and Angela from the Freuchie Mill flats for the photos.

Technorati Tags: cars, Fife, Freuchie, flood, flooding, shed