Flood Resilience in Devon
Whether you already have a plan or are just getting started, we’re here to help you take the next step. We offer free, practical support to help Devon communities prepare for flooding and other emergencies.
Free support from Communities Prepared, delivered in Devon as part of the DRIP Project
What we do
Introducing Communities Prepared
Communities Prepared is a national community resilience programme supporting communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from floods and other severe weather emergencies.
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What can I do right now?
Meet the team
Emma Fancett
Emma supports the Communities Prepared DRIP project in Devon, helping people in villages, towns and communities strengthen resilience and emergency preparedness in practical, local ways. Based in South Devon, the widespread flooding across early 2026 prompted her to focus her expertise more directly on climate adaptation and multi-agency partnership work. Emma combines engagement, education and project management experience to help communities turn ideas into action, whether that means making sense of flood resilience or supporting local training. She has led engagement in in landscape-scale conservation, ESG within businesses, as well as energy and transport projects.
Since gaining her MSc in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability in 2012, she has helped people make sense of complex topics such as energy and sustainability. She enjoys those “aha!” moments when something difficult suddenly clicks, and is especially motivated by bringing unlikely people together to design and deliver practical solutions to climate challenges. Outside work, she enjoys swimming and walking along Devon’s coastline.
Violaine Drapeau
Violaine is the Delivery Manager for the Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP), working with communities and partner organisations across Devon to strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change. Alongside this, she is a Senior Project Officer with Communities Prepared, where she develops and delivers training, resources and programmes that support communities across the UK to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. She has a PhD in Biology and a background in science communication and education, having spent eight years developing and delivering workshops for a wide range of audiences at a science centre before joining the community resilience sector. She is passionate about making complex topics accessible and supporting communities to take practical action to build resilience.
DRIP Contact form
Contact form for the drip page
DRIP: Upload your Community Plan for review
Where we’ll be
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Communities Prepared?
Communities Prepared is a national community resilience programme led by Groundwork South. We support communities, volunteers and professionals through free training, practical resources and peer learning to help build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. For more information, visit our about us page.
What is Communities Prepared’s role in the DRIP project?
Communities Prepared is leading the final phase of community engagement and training within DRIP. During the last few months of the project, we are supporting communities across Devon to strengthen their resilience through Community Emergency Planning and Flood Warden training. We provide practical training, resources and guidance to help communities understand local flood risk, prepare for flooding and work together to become more resilient.
Is Communities Prepared free?
Yes. Our core training, resources and peer learning opportunities are free to access. Some projects, such as DRIP, may also offer additional tailored support to participating communities.
What topics does Communities Prepared cover?
Our training and resources explore a range of climate-related hazards, including flooding, heatwaves and storms. We also help communities develop practical emergency plans, strengthen local networks and build resilience before, during and after emergencies. To explore our event calendar, click here
What will I gain from taking part?
You’ll gain practical knowledge and tools to help you understand local risks, identify community strengths and take action to improve resilience. Depending on the project, this may include training, workshops, resources, networking opportunities and access to additional support.
Do I need any previous experience?
No. Our training and resources are designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of experience. Whether you’re new to community resilience or already involved in local initiatives, we’ll help you develop practical knowledge and confidence.
Am I at risk of flooding?
Flooding can affect communities in many ways, whether from rivers, surface water, groundwater or the sea. Even if your area hasn’t flooded before, changing weather patterns mean flood risk is increasing in many parts of the UK. Understanding your local flood risk is an important first step in becoming more resilient.