Volunteer Lifeguard: Boldon - Whitley Bay to Roker

Are you a newly qualified lifeguard looking for some practical experience?  Or maybe you are an experienced lifeguard looking to help out in your free time? 

We have opportunities available for Volunteer Lifeguards who will patrol alongside our employed Lifeguards to help in the provision of a professional lifeguard service around the coast of the UK and Channel Islands.

The RNLI has been operating a lifeguard service in the UK since 2001 and it's now an integral part of our commitment to saving lives at sea. In 2025 the RNLI will be patrolling over 230 beaches.

As part of a world-class organisation, Volunteer Lifeguards must be prepared to uphold the values of the RNLI and present a helpful and courteous front to the public. With such a varied coastline around the UK, the duties can differ between beaches. Busy resort beaches full of holidaymakers will require surveillance of the area through patrolling or from static lifeguard units, using rescue boards and/or rescue tubes when required.  Semi - rural beaches that are popular with surfers may require the use of all-terrain vehicles and rescue watercraft to allow full coverage of the area.

If you have the skills and passion to become an RNLI volunteer lifeguard for the 2025 season, we want to hear from you.

As a volunteer lifeguard it’s essential that you hold a valid ILS recognised beach lifeguard qualification (or equivalent overseas qualifications), are able to demonstrate the required level of fitness and competency, and have excellent people and rescue skills.

In addition, you will need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) / police check and complete health and eyesight checks.

To be an RNLI volunteer lifeguard, you must be at least 16 and of school leaving age. The RNLI is bound by Safeguarding practices and therefore some RNLI operational areas will have fewer posts available for under 18s. Non-EU residents will need to provide documentation from the UK Boarder agency stating their right to volunteer in the UK /ROI

Although the RNLI will be flexible in terms of the time commitment for this volunteer role, we would ideally be looking for a contribution of no less than 80 hours across the season.

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.