Volunteer Lifeguards: Tyne and Wear - Whitley Bay to Roker

Join the RNLI Lifeguard team and help save lives at sea as we mark a quarter of a century of RNLI Lifeguarding in 2026!

Grown from a few patrols piloted in 2001, to working across 250 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands today, saving more than 2000 lives since the service began, and keeping people safe by providing safety advice on the shore, in schools and online.

Join a team of likeminded people, do work that truly matters, and spend your summer outdoors making a real difference. Be part of something bigger, join us in 2026 as we celebrate 25 years of RNLI Lifeguards.

About the Role:

Whether you are a newly qualified lifeguard looking to gain some practical experience, or an experienced lifeguard wanting to give back in your free time, we have opportunities for Volunteer Lifeguards to patrol alongside our employed teams. You’ll help provide a professional, lifesaving service on beaches across the UK and Channel Islands.

The RNLI has been operating a lifeguard service since 2001, and it is now an essential part of our commitment to saving lives at sea. In 2026, our teams will be patrolling over 250 beaches, from busy resorts to semi-rural surfing spots, each with unique challenges and duties.

As a Volunteer Lifeguard, you’ll help keep beach goers safe through vigilant patrolling, delivering water safety advice, and performing rescues when needed. Duties may include working from static units, patrolling on foot, or using rescue boards, tubes, all-terrain vehicles, or rescue watercraft depending on the beach.

About You:

To join as a Volunteer Lifeguard, you should be:

• Passionate about lifesaving and helping others stay safe.
• A team player who is approachable, professional, and proactive.
• Physically fit and able to meet the required competency standards.
• Qualified with a valid ILS-recognised beach lifeguard award (or overseas equivalent).
• Able to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)/police check, and meet health and eyesight requirements.

You must be at least 16 years old and of school leaving age. Some areas may have fewer posts for under 18s due to safeguarding requirements. Non-EU residents will need documentation from the UK Boarder agency 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 with the RNLI is more than just patrolling the beach — it’s about teamwork, learning, and making a real difference in your community. If you’re ready to gain practical experience, grow your skills, and be part of something bigger, we want to hear from you.

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.