The Prince of Wales and actor Ross Kemp have joined forces in Ilminster, Somerset, to promote a new community resilience initiative designed to help residents prepare for emergencies ranging from severe flooding to wildfires. Prince William, who serves as patron of the National Emergencies Trust, arrived in the town to officially launch Ready Together, a project aimed at transforming public willingness to help into structured, practical preparedness at the community level.
Kemp, who was appointed as an ambassador to the National Emergencies Trust in 2025 following his extensive background reporting from crisis and conflict zones, emphasised the urgency of the initiative.
The world, to be really honest, is in a far more dangerous situation than it was 30 years ago. The more prepared we are for all eventualities, the better we'll be able to cope with them.
The National Emergencies Trust, a UK charity established in 2019, coordinates support across multiple charities during disaster situations. According to reports on the initiative, Ready Together was developed with input from research conducted by Nottingham Trent University and is designed to be adapted to communities' different sizes, risks and needs.
What is Ready Together?
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between communities' desire to help during emergencies and their lack of formal structures to respond effectively. A spokesman for Kensington Palace explained that research demonstrates people are highly willing to assist neighbours during crises, yet far fewer believe their communities possess adequate plans and coordination mechanisms.
Ready Together seeks to bridge that gap by turning goodwill into practical preparedness.
Kemp described the programme's core purpose:
Ready Together is about understanding what the possible outcomes could be, how you deal with them, and how you come together to effectively overcome them.
Why was Ilminster chosen?
The Somerset town was selected as a location already demonstrating the initiative's principles in action. According to coverage of the visit, Ilminster was chosen because residents, rescue workers and community leaders have been working together following severe flooding that affected the area. The Ilminster Resilience Group has actively supported residents during these weather emergencies, providing a foundation upon which the Ready Together programme can build.
What activities took place during the visit?
Prince William participated directly in emergency preparedness activities alongside volunteers and young people. He observed a training exercise that simulated various emergency scenarios, allowing participants to practise coordinated responses. According to reports from the engagement, William met members of Ilminster Under 16s football club to discuss how they could protect themselves and their community if the River Isle floods again.
The Prince also met with members of the Ilminster Resilience Group and visited Sweet Surprise, a café that provides employment and development opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. The visit concluded at Ilminster Fire Station, where William met representatives from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and learned about mapping and forecasting tools used to prepare for extreme weather and wildfire risks.
Who is Ross Kemp?
Kemp brings significant credibility to the ambassador role through his decades of experience in journalism and broadcasting. He is currently appearing as a contestant on the second season of a major reality television competition, an appearance that has generated considerable public attention. In an interview with a local radio station, Kemp reflected on the unexpected level of recognition his recent television work has generated, noting that his visibility has increased substantially compared to his earlier career in drama.
His appointment as ambassador reflects the trust's recognition of his background documenting crises and conflicts around the world, lending authority to the emergency preparedness message.
Key Facts
- Ready Together is a National Emergencies Trust project designed to help communities prepare for emergencies including wildfires and flooding
- The initiative was developed with research input from Nottingham Trent University and can be adapted to different community sizes, risks and needs
- Prince William serves as patron of the National Emergencies Trust, which was established in 2019 to coordinate charitable support during disasters
- Ilminster was selected for the launch because its residents and emergency services have already demonstrated collaborative preparedness following severe flooding
- Ross Kemp was appointed as ambassador to the trust in 2025 based on his extensive experience reporting from crisis and conflict zones
