the Scottish Flood Forum

01/06/2026

☀️ Sun, sea… and a lot of life-saving know-how! 🌊

On Saturday (30 May 2026), SFF headed to the brilliant Scottish PAWS event at Coldingham Bay—and what a day it was! The sun was shining, the sea was a refreshing 13°C (yes, we checked… no, we didn’t all go in 😄), and the beach was buzzing.
A fantastic mix of teams turned out, including HM Coastguard, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, St Abbs Independent Lifeboat, RNLI Lifeguards & Water Safety, Borders Water Rescue Team… and one very enthusiastic (and slightly outnumbered!) SFF representative—Kasha—flying the flood resilience flag 💪
The highlight? A brilliant live demonstration from Borders Search and Rescue, showing how lifeboats, lifeguards and Coastguard teams launch and recover in real-life scenarios.
There was also the chance for little—and not so little—visitors to try out the “Float to Live” technique on dry land (much warmer and less splashy!).
👉 If you missed your chance to chat with Kasha about boosting your home or community flood resilience—fear not!
Come and find us at the Musselburgh Community Gala on 13 June 🎉
Our flood bus, Flo, will be there, packed with Property Flood Resilience products for you to explore.
We promise: no need to brave 13°C water this time 😉

29/05/2026

Join us tomorrow for a FREE family-friendly community event promoting water safety at Coldingham Bay on Saturday 30th May, 12:00 - 16:00 ☀️

The Scottish Flood Forum in partnership with the Scottish Borders Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) group invites you to take part in this fun and informative event.

Workshops include
- "Meet the lifeguards" water smart sessions (aimed at 5 - 11 year olds) 🏊‍♀️
- Water safety advice (coastal and inland advice) 🛟
- "Float to live" land sessions 🏊‍♀️
- Throwline workshop 🛟
- CPR & First Aid skills ⛑️
- Rescue demonstrations 🏊‍♀️
- Bake sale 🥐
Let’s make our coastline safer - together.

28/05/2026

Join us in three days for a FREE family-friendly community event promoting water safety at Coldingham Bay on Saturday 30th May, 12:00 - 16:00 ☀️

The Scottish Flood Forum in partnership with the Scottish Borders Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) group invites you to take part in this fun and informative event.

Workshops include
- "Meet the lifeguards" water smart sessions (aimed at 5 - 11 year olds) 🏊‍♀️
- Water safety advice (coastal and inland advice) 🛟
- "Float to live" land sessions 🏊‍♀️
- Throwline workshop 🛟
- CPR & First Aid skills ⛑️
- Rescue demonstrations 🏊‍♀️
- Bake sale 🥐
Let’s make our coastline safer - together.

28/05/2026

6 - 🤝 Community Matters

Groundwater flooding often affects entire communities across Scotland—not just one garden.

Sharing local knowledge can make a real difference:
✔️ Report persistent flooding to your local council or SEPA
✔️ Speak with neighbours about drainage patterns
✔️ Support local flood action groups
✔️ Keep records and photos during flood events

💧 Together, we’re stronger: Working as a community helps raise awareness and encourages better long‑term solutions for everyone.

27/05/2026

✨ Planning a celebration next week? ✨
If your group is getting ready to mark Volunteers’ Week, here’s a wee friendly reminder to start thinking about how you’ll celebrate the amazing people who give their time to support others 💙
Whether it’s a small get-together, a thank-you post, or something a bit more special, every gesture counts and helps show just how much volunteers are appreciated.

🎉 Last chance to grab a Party Pack at the shop! 🎉
As we wrap up our shop activity, we’ve bundled our remaining stock into a limited number of Party Pack gift bags — perfect for celebrating and showing your support!
Each pack includes:
🧁 12 cupcake toppers
🎂 1 cake round
💌 12 greeting cards
✨ 6 sticker sheets
🎁 Plus a surprise extra

There are limited packs available, so once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Order by 4.00pm on Friday and we’ll still get it to you in time for Volunteers’ Week: https://merchify.me/volunteers-week/

27/05/2026

5 - 💧 Thinking About Long-Term Solutions?

If groundwater flooding happens regularly, it might be time to consider some longer-term improvements:
✔️ Install a French drain
✔️ Add a soakaway (where suitable)
✔️ Create a rain garden
✔️ Collect rainwater in water butts
✔️ Speak to drainage or flood-risk professionals if flooding is severe

🌱 Remember: Small changes over time can make a big difference, helping your garden become more resilient to future flooding.

26/05/2026

Join us for a FREE family-friendly community event promoting water safety at Coldingham Bay on Saturday 30th May, 12:00 - 16:00 ☀️

The Scottish Flood Forum in partnership with the Scottish Borders Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) group invites you to take part in this fun and informative event.

Workshops include
- "Meet the lifeguards" water smart sessions (aimed at 5 - 11 year olds) 🏊‍♀️
- Water safety advice (coastal and inland advice) 🛟
- "Float to live" land sessions 🏊‍♀️
- Throwline workshop 🛟
- CPR & First Aid skills ⛑️
- Rescue demonstrations 🏊‍♀️
- Bake sale 🥐
Let’s make our coastline safer - together.

26/05/2026

4 - 🌱 Plants That Love Wet Conditions

Some plants cope much better with soggy soil than others—so why not work with the conditions?

Great choices for wetter gardens include:
✔️ Iris
✔️ Dogwood
✔️ Willow
✔️ Marsh marigold
✔️ Astilbe
✔️ Ferns

💧 Top tip: Choosing water-tolerant plants can transform a tricky, waterlogged area into a thriving, attractive part of your garden.

26/05/2026

🚨 Could “Float to Live” save you in a flood?
Yes — it absolutely can.
If you fall into floodwater, your first instinct may be to panic or struggle. Instead:
👉 Tilt your head back
👉 Relax and float on your back
👉 Control your breathing
This simple technique can help you stay calm, keep your airway clear, and conserve energy.
⚠️ But remember: floodwater is dangerous. It can be fast-moving and full of hidden hazards. Floating should be used to help you regain control — then get to safety as quickly as possible.
✅ Avoid floodwater whenever you can
✅ If you do fall in, Float to Live
It’s a simple skill — but it could save your life.

25/05/2026

Here’s a quick little update from Flood Re on their rain garden – plus some beautiful scenes from the Chelsea Flower Show. Take a look! 🌿🌸