Red Cross / EU Office

British Red Cross

Address:

44 Moorfields
EC2Y 9AL - London
Tel: +44 207 235 5454
Fax: +44 207 245 6315
Email: information@redcross.org.uk
Website: www.redcross.org.uk/

Legal Basis:
  • 1870: British RC is founded, incorporated by Royal Charter in 1908.
  • 1923: British RC joins the League.
  • 1997: Last revision of the statutes prior to the unification of the British RC into one single registered charity with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (prior to the restructuring, each of the society’s branches had separate charitable status).
  • 1 January 1998: A new Royal Charter comes into effect.
  • March 2004: Most recent national assembly.
Mission:

The British Red Cross Society commits itself to following the overall strategic goal of improving the situation of the most vulnerable – those defined as being at greatest risk from situations that threaten their survival or their capacity to live with a minimum of social and economic security and human dignity. The Mission, Vision and Pledges were introduced for the unification of the National Society in January 1998.

Constituency:

The Society undertook a major review of its current structures and cost base during 2001. The review highlighted the opportunity to streamline our management structures to improve cost effectiveness and local decision-making. To this end, regions role was reduced from eight to four, and the number of operational units from 69 Branches to 21 Areas. This means that each Area is now large enough to plan and deliver services more effectively with less duplication, but small enough for people to make local decisions based on local priorities.

Organisation/planning:

Development plan: Across the world and around the corner, the British Red Cross corporate strategy for 2004-2010, was endorsed by the Board in July 2004. The strategy division produces planning guidance that is circulated throughout the society. All planning is done according to a standard format and agreed objectives, consulting with staff, volunteers and other stakeholders. These are consolidated into regional/divisional plans. An impact report is being piloted in 2004.

Leadership:

Board of Trustees: Governance is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees, comprising nine regionally elected trustees and seven co-opted members. The Board currently has 16 volunteers (8 of them women). Young people are not directly represented on the Board at present. The Board approves policy and activities, which are implemented by the Director-General and the Senior Management Team (SMT). The Board meets six times a year and the SMT monthly.

Volunteer Councils (21) have a consultative and supportive role, primarily in the following areas:
  • Supporting the branch director and other officers to help the British RC be responsive to local issues, and assisting the branch in implementation of national policies
  • Sharing an overview of the work of the branch with the branch director, to ensure it is in line with British RC policies
  • Supporting the branch director for the preparation and implementation of the branch plan and budget
A National Assembly is held each year, with members and staff from branches, regions, and HQ eligible to attend. The Board appoints the Chair of the Assembly each year in advance of the Assembly so that he/she may assist to plan the event.

Challenge:

Ageing of the population: The UK has a population of 59.2 million, set to increase by 4% by 2011, with a more than proportional increase in the number of people aged 75+.

Social benefits: The decline of the role of the welfare state, the difficulties experienced by the National Health Services in coping with increasing demands, and the rising numbers of “have-nots” are high on the agenda of the government and of several NGOs and the British RC.

Paid staff: 1,637 fulltime and 1,087 part time across the country

Volunteers:

35,000 active volunteers

Domestic Activities

"Working Together to Support Individuals in an Emergency or Disaster"
The final report of the workshop "Working Together to Support Individuals in an Emergency or Disaster" led by the British Red Cross Society from 30 January 2004 to 1 February 2004 is now available on the British RC website and on the EU website. (25/08/2004).
Link to the final report: English version & French Version

"British RC project on the role of volunteers in civil protection"
In February 2002, the British Red Cross hosted a European Workshop on the Role of Non-Governmental Organisations’ volunteers in civil protection in EU Member States and European Economic Area Countries. The workshop was co-financed by the European Commission under the Civil Protection Action Programme. Key conclusions were that:
  • Volunteers have an important role to play in civil protection arrangements
  • The contribution of volunteers could be more extensive and effective if there were greater inclusion in civil protection planning and response
  • Governments and non-governmental organisations would benefit from guidance on the range of services that should be available, and the skills required to deliver them
  • There should be a strengthening of relationships between government, non-governmental organisations and volunteers.
The final report of this project is now available in French and English on the website of DG Environment
Community education

The British RC provides public, community and youth & schools first aid training and raises first aid awareness within these groups. Work is also conducted with children and young people around humanitarian education, support in crisis and volunteering. Community education work reached 50,666 people in Quarter 1 2004.
Volunteers, trained and skilled in advanced first aid practice, are on hand at major public events. First aid training was provided to 172,000 people in 2003.Health prevention and promotion
A range of services include:
  • Home care
  • Therapeutic care
  • Temporary domestic support to an ill person when their carer is unexpectedly absent
  • Care and support for patients arriving home after staying in hospital
  • Help to those who are living a short-term crisis
The British RC also lends equipment such as wheelchairs and walking frames to those in urgent need. Trained volunteers give advice on using the equipment safely and efficiently.
Transport and escort
The British RC transport and escort service provides trained volunteers to help people who feel vulnerable. The service supports trips to the shops, hospital appointments, family visits, etc. Drivers and escorts who either use their own cars or specially adapted vehicles can take passengers anywhere in the UK.

Family tracing and messages
The British RC tracing and message service provides a line of communication between people separated by war or natural disaster. 449 people were successfully traced in 2003.

International Activites: Humanitarian Aid

Water and sanitation

International Activites: Development Activities
Countries of Operation:
Membership in RCRC networks:
Country Information

Red Cross/EU Office