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  • Who are we?
  1. About Us
  2. Who Are We?

Who are we?

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) enhances communities so everyone can enjoy being safely in, on, and around water; every life is worth saving. Our work is vital in every city, town, community, and home.

RLSS UK has a proud history of helping to reduce the number of lives lost to drowning. Our mission is to be the leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding in the UK and 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 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 award-winning vocational qualifications, awards, educational programmes, and campaigns that aim to prevent drowning and stop unnecessary loss of life. Our portfolio includes the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) - the premier lifeguard training programme.

Our achievements speak for themselves:

Our 2025 Impact Report

View our Strategic Framework 2025-2030

About our Strategic Framework 

RLSS UK's Strategic Framework 2025-2030 was launched at Westminster in June 2025. The document can be flipped through using the PDF viewer below. If you have any questions about the RLSS UK Strategic Framework 2025-2030, email [email protected].

Our Trustees

Our Trustees

Read more

Published: 25th February, 2026

Updated: 26th February, 2026

Author:

Our Senior Leadership Team

Our Senior Leadership Team

Read more

Published: 1st February, 2026

Updated: 26th February, 2026

Author: James Soley

Our Youth Ambassadors

Our Youth Ambassadors

Read more

Published: 24th July, 2018

Updated: 11th March, 2024

Author: Amelia Ireland

Our Staff

Our Staff

Read more

Published: 22nd July, 2018

Updated: 26th November, 2025

Author: Kelly Key

Plans and Performance

Plans and Performance

Read more

Published: 1st June, 2018

Updated: 6th June, 2026

Author: James Soley

RLSS UK Trading Subsidiaries

RLSS UK Trading Subsidiaries

Read more

Published: 1st April, 2018

Updated: 11th March, 2024

Author: James Soley

Accreditations, Regulators, Endorsements and Memberships

Accreditations, Regulators, Endorsements and Memberships

Read more

Published: 21st September, 2017

Updated: 6th February, 2026

Author: Kelly Key

RLSS UK Awards and Accolades

RLSS UK Awards and Accolades

Read more

Published: 10th November, 2015

Author: Kelly Key

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Latest

  • 5K Fun Run

    5K Fun Run

    I am fundraising to support the Drowning Prevention Campaign

  • Customer Service Assistant

    Customer Service Assistant

    Permanent, Part Time (28 hours per week)

  • Triple Olympic Champion Tom Dean MBE joins RLSS UK as an Ambassador to champion the charity’s water safety education outreach

    Triple Olympic Champion Tom Dean MBE joins RLSS UK as an Ambassador to champion the charity’s water safety education outreach

    The Celebrity Ambassador role is a first for RLSS UK, a leader in lifesaving, lifeguarding and water safety education, and highlights the mutual vision of creating communities free from drowning.

  • RLSS UK Returns to Elevate with Expert-Led Aquatic Programme

    RLSS UK Returns to Elevate with Expert-Led Aquatic Programme

    Find out about RLSS UK's involvement and sponsorship at Elevate 2026

Most read

  • Your RLSS UK Account

    Your RLSS UK Account

    Find out how to log in to your RLSS UK Account (powered by tahdah), view our how-to guides, and all the latest FAQs.

  • National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    The NPLQ is the UK’s most popular pool lifeguard qualification.

  • Find a Course (RLSS UK Course Finder)

    Find a Course (RLSS UK Course Finder)

    Looking to find a course? This page will direct you to where you need to go.

  • RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards

    RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards

  • National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    Learn how to operate effectively across a range of beach environments.

  • 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.

  • Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    Cold water can be from the temperature of a swimming pool and below.

  • National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) Renewal Information

    National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) Renewal Information

    How to renew your NPLQ qualification

  • Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools

    This information supports the HSE document ‘Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools’ 2018 edition.

  • Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) Qualification

    Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) Qualification

    Gain the skills required to supervise and rescue in still, non-tidal water.

Tag cloud

Assisted Lifeguard Technology - Related Pages NWSMP - DEFRA


Our charity impact

Every day we give children the chance to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water, safely.

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

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