RNLI water safety volunteers visit schools to teach children skills that could save their lives

Be a water safety volunteer

RNLI/Harrison Bates

Help make sure everyone gets to go home safely through education and water safety advice. 

Every year our lifeboat crews and lifeguards save the lives of hundreds of people and rescue thousands more. The RNLI Water Safety Team save lives by giving advice that helps people enjoy the water safely, and stops them from getting into trouble in the first place.

Around 150 people die by accident in UK and Irish waters each year. Half of those who drown never intended to enter the water.

Through our water safety initiatives, we strive to reduce fatalities and incidents in, on and by the water.

Our water safety volunteers are crucial in helping to achieve this aim by providing free education and water safety advice to all who visit the coast, from school groups to walkers, commercial fishermen to college students.

Why become a water safety volunteer?

  1. When you volunteer with the RNLI’s Water Safety Team, you’ll help stop drowning in your community. A  piece of advice given today could be a life saved tomorrow.

  2. Have fun, meet new people and join a motivated and enthusiastic team who are making a difference
  3. Learn new skills and gain experience to enhance your CV
  4. Gain the satisfaction of giving back

What water safety roles can you do? 

Water safety volunteer

Use your good communication, presenting and people skills to deliver RNLI water safety advice to members of the community.

Current water safety education volunteer opportunities

See all opportunities
There are currently no water safety education volunteer opportunities

Can't find what you're looking for?

We have more ways for you to find the perfect volunteering role

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Volunteer opportunities

Take a look at our latest volunteer vacancies to see where your skills, time and passion can help the RNLI.
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Let us know what how and where you'd like to volunteer and we can help you find the right role.
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be a lifeboat station volunteer

From the shore to the lifeboat, there are a variety of volunteer roles at our lifeboat stations.
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Be a fundraising and events volunteer

Rally support, raise vital funds and join our fundraising volunteer crew.
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quick ways to volunteer

Fancy volunteering but don’t have the time to commit to a role? Find our quick and easy ways to support here.