Become a Community Resilience Champion

Access FREE high-quality training and an opportunity to apply for a grant of £1,000 for your organisation

Community R Champ

Are you passionate about helping your community prepare for and respond to emergencies?

Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, severe cold spells are becoming more common. In Kingston, flooding presents a particular risk, and being prepared can make a real difference to the safety and wellbeing of local residents.

We are looking for Community Resilience Champions who want to learn more about emergency preparedness and help build a stronger, more connected community.

As a Community Resilience Champion, you will play a key role in helping to establish a Community Resilience Network that will work closely with the Kingston Borough Resilience Forum. Together, we can ensure that local communities are better prepared to respond effectively during times of crisis and disruption.
 
The Royal Borough of Kingston, in partnership with the neighbouring boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth, is offering FREE face-to-face Community Resilience Training for members of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, as well as Faith and Belief groups.

Access High-Quality Free Training Programme

The training is free and open to volunteers, community leaders, VCSE organisations, and Faith and Belief groups.

It comprises of four 3-hour in-person workshops held in November.

All sessions will run between 6pm and 9pm, please see below:

  • Tuesday 3rd November
    Introduction to Community Resilience and Emergency First Aid Training
    Kingston Guildhall

  • Tuesday 10th November
    Understanding Community Safety, Hate Crime & Social Cohesion and Responding to emergency events & local response to emergencies
    Richmond York House

  • Tuesday 17th November
    Addressing Climate & Weather-related Events and Psychosocial Support
    Richmond York House

  • Tuesday 24th November
    Public Health issues; Understanding Buildings & Premises Risks
    Kingston Guildhall

What Will You Achieve

By completing the programme, your organisation will:

  • Increase its preparedness for emergencies such as heatwaves, severe weather events and flooding.
  • Build practical knowledge and skills to support residents during crises.
  • Have the knowledge to develop a Community Resilience Plan tailored to your organisation or community.
  • Have an opportunity to become part of a local network working together to improve resilience across Kingston.

Book your Free space at the training programme

Opportunity for Organisations to Apply for £1,000 Grant

Who Can Apply

Voluntary Community organistaions based in Kingston upon Thames who are willing to help their communities to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Commitment Requirement

1. Participants must attend the following training - all sessions will run between 6pm and 9pm, please see below:

  • Tuesday 3rd November
    Introduction to Community Resilience and Emergency First Aid Training
    Kingston Guildhall
  • Tuesday 10th November
    Understanding Community Safety, Hate Crime & Social Cohesion and Responding to emergency events & local response to emergencies
    Richmond York House
  • Tuesday 17th November
    Addressing Climate & Weather-related Events and Psychosocial Support
    Richmond York House
  • Tuesday 24th November
    Public Health issues; Understanding Buildings & Premises Risks
    Kingston Guildhall

2. Develop and  submit a simple Community Resilience Plan using a template  that will be provided.

3. Consider becoming a member of the emerging Community Resilience Network  that will work alongside the Kingston  Borough  Resilience  Forum.

Grant Elegibility

To be elegible to apply for £1,000 grant, your organisation must:

  • Be based in Kingston upon Thames
  • Commit to attend the 4 workshops listed above.

How to Apply

Organisations who meet the elegibility above are invited to apply for the grant of £1,000.

Apply for the grant 

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 12pm. 

We will notify organisations of the outcome of their application by 5pm on Friday 23 October 2026.

Contact

If you have any questions or would like support with your application, please get in touch by email at john.mikucki@kva.org.uk.