Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Republic of Ireland
  • News
  • Jobs in our industry
Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK )

Enjoy Water Safely


Jobs in our industry
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
DonateFind a CourseShop
Menu
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • RLSS UK's A-Z
    • Who Are We?
    • Who We Work With
      • Commercial Partners
      • Strategic Partners
      • Water Safety Partners
      • RLSS UK Advisors
      • Consultancy Partners
      • Consultancy Projects
    • Job Opportunities
      • Our Jobs
      • Trustee Opportunities
      • External Jobs
      • Apprenticeships
      • #IStartedAsALifeguard
    • International Work
  • COVID-19
  • Water Safety
    • Water Safety Advice
    • Water Smart Award
    • Open Water - Event Safety
    • Managing Safety
    • SH₂OUT
    • Industry Approved Aqua Parks
    • Education Resources
  • What We Do
    • Our Qualifications
      • All Qualifications
      • Become a Lifeguard
      • Become a First Aider
      • Become a Trainer
      • Become a Training Centre or Provider
        • Find out more
        • Regulated Qualifications and Compliance
      • Support for Families
      • Pool Management
      • Additional Qualifications
    • Our Awards
    • Our Catalogue
    • Our Membership
    • Lifesaving Sport
      • About
      • Competitions
      • Supporting Roles
      • Performance
      • Records and Results
    • Safeguarding
    • Consultancy Service
    • Meeting Room Hire
    • Advertise With Us
    • Safety Guidance
    • Renewal Information
  • Support Us
    • Our Appeals
    • How to donate
    • Leaving a Lifesaving legacy
      • Leave a gift in your will
      • 1891 Life Fellows
    • Fundraising
      • Fundraising Opportunities
      • Meet Our Fundraisers
    • Our Campaigns
      • Lifesaver • Lifechanger
      • Don't Drink and Drown
      • Drowning Prevention Week
      • #BeaRookieLifeguard
      • #BeaLifeguard
      • #BeaLifesaver
      • Runners and Walkers
      • Spring Clean
      • Support a campaign
    • Become a Corporate Partner
    • Volunteer
    • In Memory Of
  • Events & Campaigns
    • All Events
    • Our Campaigns
    • RLSS UK Events
      • View All
      • Honours
      • Speeds
    • IQL UK Events
  • Latest
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • News
    • Blogs
  • Your Account
    • New Locations for RLSS UK Services
    • tahdah - Guides and Tutorials
    • tahdah FAQs
    • Access your account
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Republic of Ireland
    • News
    • Jobs in our industry
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • who-are-we
  1. About Us
  2. Who Are We?

Who are we?

We are the charity that enhances communities, so everyone can enjoy being in, on and around water, safely; because every life is worth saving. Our work is vital in every city, town, community and household.

RLSS UK has a proud history of helping to save the number of lives lost to drowning. Our mission is to be the leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Sharing, our expertise and knowledge with as many people as possible, giving everyone the potential to save lives and enjoy water, safely.

Here, at the RLSS UK, we have an impressive heritage. We have built up years of experience and, we are honoured, to boast a strong force of loyal members and volunteers who work with us to promote water safety and educate in life saving skills.  Our roots were established back in 1891 as the Life Saving Society, and, in the early 1900s, with support from the Royal Family, we were granted permission to adopt the ‘Royal’ to our title – a badge that we are still immensely proud of today.

 We have used our extensive, world-leading knowledge of water safety and training to develop a comprehensive range of vocational qualifications and a series of awards and education programmes which all have the ultimate aim of preventing drowning and stopping unnecessary loss of life. Our portfolio includes the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) - the premier lifeguard training programme.

Our achievements speak for themselves:

Our 2019 Impact Report

View our Strategic Framework

About the Strategic Framework 

In September 2020, RLSS UK's President, Mark Smith and CEO Robert Gofton launched the RLSS UK's Strategic Framework 2020-2025 by hosting a webinar. This webinar discussed the thinking behind it, the detail of the strategic framework and questions from supporters. To webinar can be viewed below:  

If you have any questions about the RLSS UK's Strategic Framework 2020-2025 email [email protected]

Our Trustees

Our Trustees

Read more

Published: 26th July, 2019

Updated: 15th May, 2020

Author:

Related topics:
  • Who are we?
Our Directors

Our Directors

Read more

Published: 31st July, 2018

Updated: 15th May, 2020

Author: James Soley

Related topics:
  • Who are we?
Our Ambassadors

Our Ambassadors

Read more

Published: 25th July, 2018

Updated: 27th April, 2020

Author: James Soley

Related topics:
  • Who are we?
Our Ambitions

Our Ambitions

Read more

Published: 22nd July, 2018

Updated: 9th September, 2020

Author: James Soley

Related topics:
  • Who are we?
Plans and Performance

Plans and Performance

Read more

Published: 1st June, 2018

Updated: 2nd November, 2020

Author: James Soley

Related topics:
  • Who are we?
RLSS UK Trading Subsidiaries

RLSS UK Trading Subsidiaries

Read more

Published: 1st April, 2018

Updated: 9th September, 2020

Author: James Soley

Related topics:
  • Who are we?
RLSS UK Voting and AGM

RLSS UK Voting and AGM

Read more

Published: 5th August, 2017

Updated: 12th October, 2020

Author: James Soley

Related topics:
  • Who are we?
Back to top

Showing 10 of 7

Latest

  • Robert Gofton

    Robert Gofton

  • Secondary School Water Education Resources

    Secondary School Water Education Resources

  • Task and Finish Group Update

    Task and Finish Group Update

  • Joshua Hale

    Joshua Hale

Most read

  • National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    Become a Pool Lifeguard with the RLSS UK's National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) We have trained over 90,000 Lifeguards. Click here to find out more!

  • 17-24 years old and just qualified as a lifeguard? Then the BBC are looking to speak to you for their new series of BBC Bitesize.

    17-24 years old and just qualified as a lifeguard? Then the BBC are looking to speak to you for their new series of BBC Bitesize.

    Could you share your journey and experiences to help other young people make career choices of their own?

  • RLSS UK reaction to Government announcement on 10 May

    RLSS UK reaction to Government announcement on 10 May

    Yesterday, the UK Government announced that from Wednesday 13 May, some sports will be able to restart. We await further clarity from the Government over the coming days, for now we offer our interpretation and response to this announcement.

  • Rookie Lifeguard

    Rookie Lifeguard

    RLSS UK’s Rookie Lifeguard programme gives your child the skills they need to be confident in the pool and by the sea.

  • Contact Us

    Contact Us

    If you are looking to make an enquiry to the society, our customer service team will be able to help.

  • National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

    National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

    NRASTC is a supervision and rescue qualification for teachers working on the poolside or in the water during programmed activities, such as a swimming lesson.

  • National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    The National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) is the core qualification for anyone seeking employment on UK Beaches. The NVBLQ ensures that the qualified lifeguard has the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively across a range of beach environments.

  • IQL UK Qualifications Explained

    IQL UK Qualifications Explained

    Our regulated qualifications are qualifications that are reviewed, recognised and monitored by Ofqual, Our non-regulated qualifications are certificated by RLSS UK

  • Black Friday Deals - Coming soon!

    Black Friday Deals - Coming soon!

    With only one week to go until 23 November, we are gearing up for our first ever Black Friday online event.

  • Key information - Coronavirus (COVID–19) - Updates

    Key information - Coronavirus (COVID–19) - Updates

    A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. RLSS UK TAs and Instructors are advised to follow current guidance issued by RLSS UK, the government and the NHS to manage the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Tag cloud

First Aid Membership Survive and Save

Make a donation


Please select a donation amount (required)
Set up a regular payment Donate

Links

  • Contact Us
  • RLSS UK's A-Z
  • RLSS Direct Catalogue 
  • GDPR
  • Your RLSS UK Account
  • Branches 
  • Clubs
  • Trainers & Centres
  • Safeguarding
  • Policies

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])
  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager
  • Sitemap
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is a registered charity in England and Wales (1046060) and in Scotland (SC037912). Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (3033781). Registered office: RLSS UK, Red Hill House, 227 London Road, Worcester, WR5 2JG Images and copyright © RLSS UK.