RNLI lifeguards continue deaf awareness work with Exmouth’s Deaf Academy

The visit took place on 29 April as part of efforts to promote awareness, accessibility and shared learning between RNLI lifeguards and the deaf community. The session highlighted the importance of breaking down communication barriers faced by deaf individuals, particularly when accessing information that can be life-saving.

During the session, students at the Deaf Academy took the lead by teaching RNLI lifeguards essential British Sign Language (BSL) phrases related to water safety, alongside key deaf awareness communication tips.

These practical tools will help RNLI lifeguards communicate more effectively with deaf beachgoers, ensuring everyone can enjoy the water safely as the busy summer season approaches.

In return, RNLI lifeguards delivered an engaging and highly visual water safety workshop for students, sharing crucial guidance on how to stay safe in and around the water. The interactive session provided students with knowledge to help protect themselves while enjoying Exmouth’s coastline.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to inclusivity and safety, reinforcing the message at the heart of Deaf Awareness Week: improving accessibility and understanding can save lives.

Mark Stocks, Partnership and Community Manager at the Deaf Academy, said:

‘We are extremely grateful for the time that the RNLI gave to the academy, both attending their deaf awareness workshop and then delivering a very visual and interactive water safety session to students.

‘It is important to provide deaf awareness to lifeguards as most deaf people would not wear their audiology equipment (hearing aids or cochlear implants) whilst swimming, providing vital tips in how to get attention and basic sign language to help break down barriers and increase safety.

‘The training that was provided to the students was accessible and helped raise their own awareness about keeping safe when enjoying the beautiful beach of Exmouth.’

Notes to editors:

· The Deaf Academy is a unique provision in the UK, offering a specialist curriculum, teaching, support and care to deaf young people (aged 9 to 25), the majority of whom have accompanying additional needs.

· Originally established in Exeter in 1826, the academy, moved to its state-of-the-art home in the Devon town of Exmouth in 2020. The Academy is currently planning a series of community celebrations to mark its 200^th anniversary in 2026, as the oldest deaf school in England.

· It is rated Good, with outstanding features, across all areas of its provision - for its school and college students, for its residential care, and for its provision for its young people living in its children’s home, Rolle House in Exmouth.

· As a charity, the Academy provides a range of services to deaf young people and their families including education, residential care, and support. In addition, it is also involved in research and development and training for professionals working with deaf young people.

· The Academy embraces change and strives to develop and improve its services. It opened Fearnside House, its 19-25 year old provision and the only one of its kind in the country, in September 2023.

· For more information, please visit https://thedeafacademy.ac.uk/

· To view the Academy’s latest prospectus, see: https://online.1stflip.com/dqcy/3olf/

· You can read about the Academy’s long-term vision and goals in its Strategic Plan 2023-2028 here: https://thedeafacademy.ac.uk/strategic-plan-2023-2028/

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Annabelle Spiers, RNLI Communications Placement at [email protected] or on 07521943895, or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead at [email protected], or RNLI press office on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.