Volunteer Lifeguard Assistant: Padstow - Porthcothan to Trebarwith

Join a team of likeminded people, do work that truly matters, and spend your summer staying fit and living life outdoors. Be part of something bigger, join the RNLI Lifeguard team and help save lives at sea as we mark a quarter of a century of RNLI Lifeguarding in 2026!

About the Role

As the RNLI celebrates 25 years of Lifeguarding in 2026, we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us as Volunteer Lifeguard Assistants. These roles provide practical experience supporting the lifeguard service without being in the water, giving you an insight into lifesaving operations and a pathway towards becoming a qualified lifeguard.

You’ll work alongside professional lifeguards to support day-to-day beach operations, including administrative tasks, helping with communications, assisting with public safety, and supporting search and rescue activities from the shore. You’ll also be part of delivering safety advice and ensuring visitors enjoy a safe beach experience.

These roles are available at various locations across the UK and Channel Islands. Some beaches may involve the use of 4x4 or all-terrain vehicles, so a full driving licence is useful but not essential.

About You:

To succeed in this role, you should be:

• Approachable, professional, and a great team player.
• Passionate about helping others and keeping beachgoers safe.
• Flexible and willing to support a wide variety of beach operations.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and of school leaving age. Non-EU residents will need documentation confirming their right to volunteer in the UK.

Although flexible in terms of hours, we recommend a minimum contribution of 80 hours across the season to gain the full experience.

Be Part of Something Bigger

Volunteering as a Lifeguard Assistant is an excellent way to learn about lifesaving, gain experience, and support a professional lifeguard team. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger and make a real difference on the beach, apply today.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.