Caro Flood Defence Systems, part of Caro Group, has helped develop a new BeFloodReady youth badge and supported a hands-on event where over 100 young people learned how to prepare for flooding.
Held at Raywell Park Activity Centre near Hull during Flood Action Week, the event brought together youth leaders, flood resilience specialists and emergency services for practical activities exploring flood risk, water safety and preparedness.
Coordinated by the International Property Flood Resilience Association (IPFRA), with support from Flood Re, the event saw Scouts, Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs take part in 20 activities about the causes of flooding, the risks it brings and how homes and communities can be better protected, with members of the Caro team on hand to help.
Caro created a house and cards game for the badge, based on the house illustration in its Property Flood Resilience Guide, in which young people place flood protection measures such as barriers, air brick covers and toilet bungs in the right part of the home. Each completed activity was marked on the Scouts’ activity passports with a bespoke stamp, designed by the Caro team and cast in bronze at the company’s foundry in Aylesford, Kent.
The BeFloodReady badge is now available to all youth organisations across the country, including Brownies, Guides, the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and more.
The idea for the badge was first raised at the Flood & Coast conference in June by a small group of flood industry organisations, including Caro. They recognised that while flooding regularly makes the headlines, many people remain unaware of the practical steps that can reduce the damage it causes, and that youth organisations could share what they learn with their families and wider communities.
The Caro team was involved from the very first discussions, working with IPFRA, Flood Re, JBA Consulting, JBA Trust, BeFloodReady, Scouts Leaders, Watertight International and industry partners, the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, to turn the idea into a national badge, available to all youth organisations.
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Earlier that week, Caro Group Managing Director Dave Lowe and Head of Operations Nicola Hunter attended IPFRA’s executive and members’ meetings in London, followed by Flood Re’s Parliamentary reception, which was attended by Emma Hardy MP, Minister for Flooding and Water. The reception previewed Flood Re’s BeFloodReady brand and information portal ahead of its official launch in April 2027.
Dave Lowe, Managing Director of Caro Group and Executive Director of IPFRA, said:
“When we first discussed this idea at Flood & Coast in June, we wanted to find a way of getting the flood resilience message across to younger people. To go from that first conversation to supporting the launch of a national BeFloodReady youth badge in just a few months is something everyone involved should be extremely proud of.
“Children are incredibly good at taking what they’ve learned home and sharing it with their families. Seeing around 120 Scouts enjoying the activities made all the hard work worthwhile.
“Awareness is the first step. For properties at risk, the next is understanding which resilience measures are suitable, with independently tested and certified products, professionally installed. We’re proud to have helped bring the BeFloodReady badge to life and hope the young people who attended will keep what they’ve learned in mind as they grow up.”
Caro Flood Defence is the only UK manufacturer of demountable barriers approved under both BS 851188-1:2019+A1:2021 and the Environment Agency’s PFR Framework, covering its WaterDoor and WaterWall configurations. It is also currently the only UK manufacturer of demountable flood barriers with a Net Zero Carbon production facility, recognised with the Future Net Zero Platinum Award. Each system is made to order, with wall rails installed once by a professional installer and barrier panels deployed by the occupant in minutes when a flood warning is issued.
To register interest in the BeFloodReady youth badge, email shelley.evans@jbaconsulting.com.
Main image: Caro Group team - Nicola, Lee, Jack, Dave, Lisa with Vikki McCausland (Scout Leader & Commercial Manager at the Environment Agency)