As global conflicts escalate, nuclear tensions rise, and memories of recent pandemics linger, a growing number of British citizens are preparing for the worst—from global war to total societal collapse.
These ‘doomsday preppers’, as they’re often called, are stockpiling supplies, building bunkers, and learning survival skills in anticipation of World War III or other large-scale disasters.
In the UK, online prepping communities are rapidly expanding, with some forums now boasting over 23,600 members.
This movement gained significant momentum after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when demand for survival gear such as gas masks, nuclear protection kits, and potassium iodide tablets surged, with one UK shopkeeper reporting more than a month’s worth of sales in less than two days.
Across the Atlantic, prepping is even more mainstream—over 20 million Americans reportedly engage in some form of disaster preparation.
Following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in 2023, survivalist retreat memberships skyrocketed, driven by fears of civil unrest.
In the UK, Melanie Williams, a wellness coach and mother of six, exemplifies the practical side of prepping. Rather than fearing total collapse, she prepares for everyday disruptions like rising food costs and power outages. Her strategy is simple: stockpile gradually during routine grocery runs.
“It’s not about panic; it’s about peace of mind and staying one step ahead,” Melanie said.
She stores essentials like beans, oats, oil, and more in glass jars and food-grade storage buckets, maintaining a detailed inventory of her three pantries: one for daily use, another for surplus, and a third for long-term storage. She’s also growing her own food and learning to raise animals like chickens and goats.
The habit is one she inherited from her mother, who always kept 3 to 6 months’ worth of food and water.
That tradition helped her family avoid panic during the COVID-19 pandemic, when store shelves were empty.
“While others queued outside shops, we already had what we needed,” she recalled.
Melanie also teaches her children practical life skills, driven by the desire to keep them safe and self-sufficient.
“You never know how someone might act if they’re hungry or desperate,” she said, explaining why many preppers choose to stay quiet about their supplies.
Meanwhile, Charley Storey, a 27-year-old mother and care worker, takes a more extreme approach. She lives with her young daughter, Sienna, and partner, and has spent the past two years preparing for natural disasters, economic collapse, illness, civil war, or martial law.
“Even the government is telling people to be prepared,” she said, emphasising the sense of urgency that fuels her survivalist mindset.
As global instability continues, the UK’s prepper movement is gaining legitimacy, not just as a fringe activity, but as a growing subculture committed to self-reliance in uncertain times.
