02/07/2026 

RLSS UK has received a generous donation from TikTok UK to help deliver trusted, practical water safety advice ahead of the summer holidays, when teens head to open water and the risk of drowning increases. 

TikTok UK has donated nearly £300,000 in advertising credits to RLSS UK to help amplify its Speak Up. Be A Mate. campaign on the social platform. Tiktok UK also donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), helping young people obtain expert advice from both charities in an accessible, relevant way before visiting beaches, lakes, rivers or other open bodies of water.  

RLSS UK's campaign encourages teens to #BeAMate and speak up when friends are taking dangerous risks around water. It was created to offer water safety advice for 13-17-year-olds, as recent data from the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) reveals that this age group continues to be one of the most at risk of drowning. 

The campaign also encourages young people to follow the Water Safety Code, such as stopping to and think and assess risks around open water, to always stay together, and to know how to respond in an emergency. A toolkit has also been created for parents and carers of teenagers to ‘Have the Conversation’ about water safety in an open and honest way. 

Ara Yoo, Global Head of Product Impact at TikTok said: 
"TikTok is a place where young people discover, learn and share experiences. This partnership is about bringing important water safety advice from RLSS UK to young people in a way that feels relevant and accessible, reaching them in the spaces they already use every day. We're proud to help amplify guidance that could make a real difference, giving people the knowledge and confidence to stay safe this summer." 

Ashley Jones, RLSS UK Head of Water Safety and Education, said:  
"RLSS UK welcomes this opportunity to reach teens with vital water safety messages, particularly as young people remain one of the highest at risk groups for drowning. With TikTok’s generous support, we can expand our Speak Up. Be A Mate. campaign, and reach even more young people at a time when drownings are most likely to occur. We’re incredibly grateful to TikTok for their support and investment which enables us to share our expertise in lifesaving, lifeguarding, and water safety education to help prevent drowning so everyone can enjoy water safely this summer and beyond." 

Water Safety for Teenagers

Have the Conversation toolkit