Disaster response charity marks five years of supporting survivors

The National Emergencies Trust is now five years old and has since its creation in 2019 developed a growing community of grassroots and national charities, delivering vital frontline support to those affected by UK disasters.

Set up in the wake of both the Grenfell Tower fire and Manchester Arena bombings two years earlier, the creation of the National Emergencies Trust was a response to a Charity Commission recommendation that a new charity be established to “ensure better outcomes for UK emergency survivors in the future; from reducing fraud to faster, fairer fund distribution.”

“Disasters can change the paths of people’s lives in a heartbeat. We’re here to make sure those affected receive the support they need.”

National Emergencies Trust

Marking its fifth year, the charity has published its annual report and reflected on its achievements, recognising the support from His Royal Highness Prince William, who is the charity’s Royal Patron.

Its activities included the Coronavirus Appeal in March 2020, which went on to raise £100m for those affected by the pandemic across the UK.

“None of this progress would be possible without the ongoing support and dedication of our Patrons, donors, advisors – and of course incredible volunteers, trustees and the team. While we may be a small organisation on paper, together we’re a sizable community well-placed to deliver on some big – and important – ambitions.”

Mhairi Sharp, CEO, National Emergencies Trust.

The charity said that through UK Community Foundations and its network of 47 Community Foundations, more than 15,000 projects made a difference to people’s lives. In addition, ten national charity partners helped to tackle unmet meets that couldn’t be addressed at a local level. It is also a member of the Government’s UK Resilience Forum, offering survivor perspectives that sit alongside those of the wider resilience community including the emergency services.

Corporate Patrons including Arnold Clark, Christopher Laing Foundation, Clarion Housing Group, Co-op, IKEA, M&G plc, NatWest Group and Welcome Break provide financial and strategic support for survivor-led projects that is helping the charity to develop its work.

“The next five years are framed by conflict and uncertainty, at home and further afield. It’s a context that is likely to make the response to any future domestic disaster more challenging, and more complex. But with the collective support of our growing community we’ll be here, together and stronger to support those in urgent need.”

John Barradell, Chair, National Emergencies Trust.

The full report for 2023/24 can be found on the National Emergencies Trust website.

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