Water safety lessons for Swindon pupils during Drowning Prevention Week

Swimming teachers in Swindon are delivering water safety lessons to hundreds of local children as part of Drowning Prevention Week, helping young people stay safe around water ahead of the summer holidays.

The campaign is being supported by GLL, the social enterprise that operates swimming pools at Swindon’s Health Hydro, Link Centre and Dorcan Recreation Complex under the Better brand.

As part of the initiative, GLL swimming teachers are hosting 24 school assembly sessions across 18 schools in Swindon, teaching pupils how to recognise water-related dangers, what to do if they get into difficulty and how to respond in an emergency.

The campaign comes as figures from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) show that, on average, 723 people drowned each year across the UK and Ireland over the last five years. The charity also reports that 71 per cent of child drownings occur between May and August.

Cheryl Pottinger, GLL’s Area Swim School Lead for Swindon, said: "We are proud to play our part in helping families across Swindon stay safe around water this summer. Water safety is an essential life skill and we want children to have the knowledge and confidence to enjoy the water safely."

"We would also encourage parents and carers to access the free water safety resources available through RLSS UK and take time to discuss water safety with their children before the summer holidays."

Throughout Drowning Prevention Week, children are being encouraged to remember the RLSS UK Water Safety Code:

• Stop and Think – take time to assess your surroundings and look for potential hazards.
• Stay Together – always swim with friends or family and keep young children within arm’s reach.
• Call 999 – in an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard at the coast or Fire and Rescue Services inland.
• Float – if you find yourself in difficulty in the water, float on your back until you can control your breathing and call for help.

Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety Education at RLSS UK, said: "We are grateful to GLL for supporting Drowning Prevention Week and helping to share these potentially life-saving messages with children and families across the country."

"The Water Safety Code is designed to be simple, memorable and practical, giving people the knowledge they need to stay safe around water and the confidence to make the right decisions in an emergency."

Alongside the school assemblies, Swindon’s Better leisure centres are providing free colouring and puzzle activities for children, as well as displays highlighting key water safety advice throughout the week.