Flood Action Groups

The London Community Flood Action Group Programme is a project designed to put communities at the heart of decision-making in flood risk management, delivered with National Flood Forum.

During the devastating floods in London in the summer of 2021, communities across the capital found themselves in challenging circumstances.

As a result, the London Community Flood Action Group Programme was established to ensure that both communities and flood risk authorities can effectively collaborate in their shared aim to better protect the places they live and work.

About the programme

The programme began as a pilot, supported by the London Borough of Waltham Forest and Thames Water, to empower local communities and foster collaboration. Recognising its potential, the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee provided further support to expand the initiative, making it a citywide effort.

Since then, the National Flood Forum have been working to support communities across London. The cornerstone of the programme is establishing Community Flood Action Groups. These are volunteer groups who consult with and advocate for their wider communities, working with local Flood Risk Management Authorities. This process is built upon an ethos of co-operation.

Once these groups have been established and have created sustainable working partnerships with their local authorities, they are given the tools and confidence to continue to advocate for their communities for years to come.  

Supported communities

Since 2021, communities supported include:

• South Hampstead, Camden
• Diamond Conservation Area, Wandsworth
• Wood Street South, Waltham Forest
• Upper Leytonstone, Waltham Forest
• West End Avenue, Waltham Forest
• Portobello, Kensington and Chelsea
• Brackenbury, Hammersmith and Fulham
• Gipsy Hill, Southwark
• Hackney (specific area TBC)

These groups have helped to inform the delivery of small and large-scale flood mitigation schemes, established community de-paving and water butt initiatives, and more. 

A further five new projects have now begun in Brent, City of Westminster, Ealing, Hounslow and Tower Hamlets.