The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) met with MPs and Ministers yesterday (Tuesday) to discuss the urgent need for class-based water safety education in schools, as part of its annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign.  

The national charity hosted an event at Westminster to highlight new data showing that 141 children (0-17 years) from England, Scotland or Wales drowned in in the last three years. Data from England shows that child drownings have doubled since 2019-20.  

RLSS UK, alongside key partners, has been a long-term advocate for class-based water safety education to be taught in schools across the UK and Ireland. Following the charity’s campaigning, class-based water safety lessons, including The Water Safety Code have been included in draft Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance in England, and RLSS UK hosted the Westminster event to lobby for support for its formal inclusion in the National Curriculum.  

MPs and Ministers were invited to the event to hear firsthand from bereaved parents about the devastating loss caused by drowning, as well as the vital role class-based water safety education can play to prevent future loss of life.  

Vanessa Abbess was one of the parents who attended the meeting. She bravely shared her story of the loss of her son Joe, who drowned, aged 17, in the sea at Bournemouth beach in 2023.   

Vanessa said: "I am still very shocked and heartbroken at Joe's death, he was healthy and strong but tragically drowned, when a sudden and ferocious rip current hit. Joe was a very caring young man, and I feel it is important to tell his story, on his behalf, to warn others of the dangers and unpredictability of the sea. It is not enough to know how to swim without a knowledge of what to do, to help your chance of survival, if conditions change. I wholeheartedly support RLSS UK in its campaign to add water safety education to the National Curriculum for England, which could potentially save many lives." 

Other families were brave enough to attend and show their support. 

Stephanie Williams, whose 12-year-old daughter, Sunnah, also drowned on the same day as Joe in the sea at Bournemouth beach in 2023. 

Becky Hinde’s son, Joshua, drowned in the River Arrow in Warwickshire in 2024, just before his ninth birthday.  

Simon Haycock’s 16-year-old son, Sam, drowned in a reservoir in 2022 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire was also present. 

Simmy Akhtar, CEO of the Royal Life Saving Society UK, said: “Thank you to the brave families who attended our breakfast event to share their personal stories about the devastating impact of drowning. We are committed to working with them and others to secure the mandatory delivery of class-based water safety education for all children. 

“Water safety education is proven to increase water safety awareness and water confidence in children and its inclusion on curricula across the UK and Ireland will save lives.”   

The event coincided with the launch of RLSS UK’s strategic framework. The ambitious strategy will lay out the organisation’s next five-year plan and mission to save lives, by leading in lifesaving, lifeguarding, and education to enable everyone to enjoy water safety, in communities free from drowning.  

Simmy added: “This event forms part of our wider long-term strategy at RLSS UK to demonstrate our commitment to collaboration as we continue to share our expertise, skills, and knowledge, and together we will prevent drowning. We hope that this spreads awareness and inspires others to support our vital work.” 

Further supporters of the charity’s mission attended the event, including former professional swimmer Michael Gunning, who regularly advocates for the importance of water safety.  

MPs were asked to sign a pledge in line with the charity’s vision for the future which was “No child should drown. I pledge to promote water safety education in my community.” 

An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Water Safety Education was launched following the event, of which RLSS UK is the Secretariat.  

Simmy added: “I would also like to thank RLSS UK Patron and Co-Chair of the APPG, Lord Storey, as well as fellow Co-Chair Darren Paffey MP for their commitment to saving more lives as well as their dedication to making an impact through the APPG for Water Safety Education. We look forward to hearing Darren Paffey MP’s backbench debate on this vital issue during RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week, it is truly appreciated.” 

Chair, Darren Paffey MP, who also represents Vanessa Abbess’ constituency, said: “Joe was just 17 when he tragically drowned along the coast in an area that was designated as a safe swimming zone. Sadly, this was far from an isolated case as we know that the number of child drownings has doubled since 2019-20.  

“With new data from the Royal Life Saving Society UK showing that nearly 150 children from England, Scotland and Wales drowned in in the last three years, there is an urgent need for Parliamentarians to discuss and put forward ideas around how we can best promote water safety through the education system, and avoid these tragic deaths.” 

Lord Storey CBE, Patron of RLSS UK and Co-Chair of the APPG, said: “As Patron of the Royal Life Saving Society UK, I am proud to support this important campaign in Parliament for Drowning Prevention Week. Far too many lives are lost unnecessarily due to a lack of water safety education. It is deeply concerning that, as an island nation, not all children are being taught to swim or given the skills they need to stay safe around water across the UK. Swimming is not a luxury, it’s a life-saving skill.  

“Through this campaign, and by bringing together young people, parents, campaigners, and policymakers at Westminster, we are sending a clear message: water safety and swimming education must be a priority in every school and community across the UK.”