Building Community Resilience for Times of Disruption
Garve and District Community Council
Added at 06:51 on 12 September 2025
Living in the rural Highlands brings with it a unique set of challenges, but also opportunities to build a stronger, more resilient and self-sufficient community especially for times of disruption. The importance of being prepared for times of disruption cannot be overstated. Power outages are becoming increasingly common, yet at the same time government policy is driving us all towards a heavier reliance on electricity for heating, cooking and accessing essential digital services. This shift leaves us exposed if we do not take responsibility for strengthening our own resilience.
Our community is home to many senior residents and people with medical vulnerabilities, a high proportion of whom live alone. For them, a prolonged loss of power is more than an inconvenience – it can pose serious risks to health, wellbeing and safety. Without preparation, we are leaving the most vulnerable among us at the mercy of circumstances beyond their control. A resilient community recognises these risks and takes steps to ensure that no one is left isolated or unsupported when disruption strikes.
Equally, we are all being forced to rely on digital systems for banking, healthcare, communication and even local services. Yet without power these lifelines disappear, leaving us cut off. That is why the idea of preparedness is not simply about convenience, but about protecting the independence, dignity and security of every resident in our community. Being prepared ensures that when the national grid falters, we are not left powerless and helpless, but ready to adapt and support one another.
Self-sufficiency is not about withdrawing from the wider world, but about recognising our particular vulnerabilities and addressing them with foresight. In a rural area like ours, where support from outside can take time to arrive, it is only smart thinking to have our own contingencies in place. Without them, we remain exposed to unnecessary risk. With them, we move closer to a stronger, safer and more confident community, able to withstand the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Thinking of prolonged power outages - What would help us to help ourselves?
Let's start the conversation and work towards being prepared as a community!
Ideas welcome https://bit.ly/GD-resilience or by emailing contact@gdcc.scot