Situational Analysis
Seasonal challenges mean we need to be prepared to respond to a range of different crises and needs. This page provides insight from a variety of sources on topics which are likely to be of relevance to the VCS over the winter period. Follow the links below to access information, advice and government guidance.
Cold Weather Resources
Government Guidance
Adverse Weather and Health Plan
UKHSA: Combining the previous Cold Weather Plan and Heatwave Plan for England, the plan brings together and improves existing guidance on weather and health.
Adverse Weather and Health Plan (Easy Read)
UKHSA: Combining the previous Cold Weather Plan and Heatwave Plan for England, the plan brings together and improves existing guidance on weather and health.
Cold-Health Alert action card for the VCS
UKHSA: Guidance summarising the suggested actions that the voluntary and community sector should consider to prepare for and respond to each Cold-Health Alert level.
Keeping warm and well: Staying safe in cold weather
UKHSA: Advice on staying well in cold weather, covering issues such as financial help, healthy lifestyle, flu vaccinations and heating.
WeatherReady campaign
Met Office: WeatherReady is a year-round campaign to help individuals, families and communities prepare for and cope with severe weather.
We're here to help you stay well this winter
NHS: Some important information from the NHS to help you stay well this winter.
We're here to help you stay well this winter (Audio)
NHS: Some important information from the NHS to help you stay well this winter in an audio format.
Resources from the VCS
How to prepare for snow and cold weather
BRC: Simple winter advice on preparing for snow and cold temperatures and what to do when snow and icy weather arrive.
Winter wrapped up (Information guide)
Age UK: With the cold weather and darker days, winter can be a more difficult time for everyone, but it can be especially tough for older people. This guide can help you stay warm and well over winter.
Keeping warm and well: Staying safe in cold weather (Easy Read)
UKHSA: Advice on staying well in cold weather, covering issues such as financial help, healthy lifestyle, flu vaccinations and heating.
Winter #WeatherHacks
Met Office: As part of the Met Office's winter WeatherReady campaign, they have worked with partners to provide a series of simple #WeatherHacks to help you prepare for the winter chill.
We're here to help you stay well this winter (Easy Read)
NHS: Some important information from the NHS to help you stay well this winter in an Easy Read format.
How to keep warm in winter
BRC: When cold temperatures hit, it's important to keep warm. The British Red Cross has cost-effective tips to make sure you and your home stay cosy.
Looking after your health this winter
Age UK: In winter, cold weather and spending more time indoors mean illnesses spread more easily. The good news is that there are things you can do to protect yourself and stay warm and well during the winter season.
Keeping warm and well: Staying safe in cold weather (BSL)
UKHSA: Advice on staying well in cold weather, covering issues such as financial help, healthy lifestyle, flu vaccinations and heating in British Sign Language.
10 things you should do now to prepare for winter
Met Office: 10 simple steps to take to stay safe and healthy this winter, from preparing your home and vehicle, to taking care of yourself, family and neighbours.
We're here to help you stay well this winter (BSL)
NHS: Some important information from the NHS to help you stay well this winter in British Sign Language.
Keeping warm and well in winter
Age UK: Keeping warm in winter is important as people get older, but there are things you can do to stay warm and well and prepare yourself and your home for the winter period.
Storms, Power Cuts and Flooding
How to prepare for a storm
BRC: How to prepare for a storm or thunderstorm, what to do if you’re inside, outside, on water or driving, and what to do afterwards.
Flooding and health: advice for the public
UKHSA: This guidance provides advice for everyone on how to keep you and your family safe while cleaning up your home affected by flooding.
Flooding and health: advice for frontline responders
UKHSA: A guide for the assessment and management of public health impacts of flooding for frontline responders.
Guidance on flood preparation
GOV: Plan how you’ll respond to a flood. Use the templates in the link provided to make a personal flood plan; community or group flood plan, or business flood plan.
Preparing for a power cut
BRC: Useful information from the British Red Cross to help prepare for a power cut and what to do if you're affected by a power outage in your area.
Flooding and health: advice for the public (Easy Read)
UKHSA: This guidance provides advice for everyone on how to keep you and your family safe while cleaning up your home affected by flooding.
Knowledge Hub resources
The Flood Hub: A wide range of flood-related resources to download. The toolkits are handy for an overview of different flood topics.
Report a flood or possible cause of flooding
GOV: Who you need to contact depends on what is flooded and what has caused the flooding.
Who do you call in a power cut?
You can call 105 to report or get information about power cuts in your local area. The website is also available in Polish, Punjabi, Urdu, Portuguese, Welsh, Romanian and Spanish.
Flooding and health: advice for the public (BSL)
UKHSA: This guidance in British Sign Language provides advice for everyone on how to keep you and your family safe while cleaning up your home affected by flooding.
National Flood Forum
National Flood Forum is a charity that helps, supports and represents people at risk of flooding. Here you can access advice and resources for creating an emergency kit and checklist, as well as information on insurance.
How to prepare for storms and bad weather
There are important precautions you can take in the rare event power is cut due to bad weather or if you are worried about gas safety.
Homeless and Rough Sleeping Communities
Supporting vulnerable people before and during cold weather: People homeless and sleeping rough
UKHSA: Guidance for those with responsibilities for people currently sleeping rough.
SWEP and winter provision toolkit
Homeless Link: This toolkit is designed to support Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) responses during winter. It also contains guidance for organisations who are setting up winter provision.
Key considerations for planning SWEP and winter provision
Homeless Link: This document contains a series of questions to help local authorities and voluntary organisations think about what is needed prior to agreeing SWEP arrangements.
Warm Spaces and Cost-of-Living
Warm Welcome UK
Over 4000 registered organisations across the UK opened up free, warm, welcoming spaces for the public last winter. The link provides a map to find a space.
Cold Weather Payment
GOV: You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits and the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. (1 November 2024 to 31 March 2025)
Help with the cost of living
Age UK: Information that can help you feel more in control of your finances by understanding cost of living payments, energy saving tips and how to save on your water bill.
Getting extra help from your energy network operator
Energy Networks Association: Contact your local network operator about the Priority Services Register. The energy networks can help if you have additional needs because of your medical or personal circumstances.
Keeping your home warm this winter
Met Office: Cold weather can impact your health so it is important to keep your home warm. The Met Office has tips and advice on how to save energy and insulate your home.
Getting extra support from your energy supplier
Citizens Advice: If you find it hard to deal with your energy supply you could get extra help from your energy company.
Priority Services Register for extra help from energy and water companies
Scope: You can sign up to a Priority Services Register (PSR) to receive extra help from your energy or water company.
Warnings and Alerts
Weather-Health Alerting system (Sign Up)
Met Office/UKHSA: Register to receive both Cold-Health Alerts and Heat-Health Alerts.
Sign up for flood warnings
GOV: Sign up to get flood warnings about flooding from rivers, the sea or groundwater, depending on your area.
Weather-Health Alerting system (User Guide)
Met Office/UKHSA: User guide for the Weather-Health Alert system.
Check for flooding in England
GOV: Check the latest river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels along with the flood forecast for the next 5 days.
Weather-Health Alerting system (Easy Read Guide)
Met Office/UKHSA: Easy read guide for the Weather-Health Alert system.
Flood Guidance Statement
GOV: Produced by the Flood Forecasting Centre, it is a 5-day risk based product for England and Wales.