Drowning Prevention Week, Held 13th - 20th June 2026

3,500 Children Take Part in Drowning Prevention Week

Thousands of children across our communities have taken part in this year’s Drowning Prevention Week, a national campaign led by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to raise awareness of water safety and help prevent accidental drownings.

During the week, 3,500 children attending sessions at Sands Centre and Trinity Leisure Centre received important water safety education designed to help them stay safe in and around water. The programme focused on increasing awareness of the risks associated with open water, as well as teaching simple but life-saving safety messages.

With summer approaching and more families spending time near beaches, rivers, lakes, and swimming pools, educating young people about water safety is more important than ever. Through engaging activities and discussions, children learned how to recognise potential dangers, make safe decisions around water, and respond appropriately in emergency situations.

A key message of Drowning Prevention Week is the RLSS UK Water Safety Code, which encourages everyone to stop and think before entering the water, stay together when visiting waterways, and know what to do if someone gets into difficulty. By equipping children with this knowledge at an early age, the campaign aims to reduce the number of water-related incidents and save lives.

The success of this year’s programme demonstrates the continued commitment of both leisure centres to promoting water safety within the community. Staff were delighted to support the campaign and help deliver these valuable lessons to such a large number of young participants.

We would like to thank all the children, schools, teachers, families, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service who supported Drowning Prevention Week. Together, we can help ensure that everyone enjoys water safely and confidently throughout the summer months and beyond.