People, water safety or social media? Volunteer with Barry RNLI

Barry Island RNLI Visitor Centre is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join its growing team, helping inspire visitors, share lifesaving advice and support the RNLI's work to save lives at sea.

Situated on the seafront at Barry Island, the RNLI Visitor Centre opened in 2017 as the UK's first dedicated drowning prevention visitor centre. Through interactive exhibits and engaging experiences, visitors of all ages can learn vital water safety skills and discover more about the RNLI's lifesaving work. The centre is currently recruiting for two roles: Social Media Officer and Lifeboat Visits Team Member (Barry Island RNLI Experience Visit Guide).

The volunteer Social Media Officer will help raise the profile of the Visitor Centre and RNLI Shop by creating engaging content, sharing news and events, promoting campaigns and connecting with supporters online. The role would suit someone with an interest in social media, photography, video content and community engagement.

As a Visits Team Member volunteer, you will guide visitors through interactive activities including spotting dangers, learning how to raise the alarm, discovering lifesaving equipment and taking part in a virtual rescue mission aboard a D class lifeboat. You will also help share key water safety messages and provide visitors with a warm welcome.

Both roles play an important part in helping the RNLI engage with the local community and visitors, educating people about staying safe around the water and raising awareness of the charity's lifesaving service.

As part of the wider One Crew team, Barry Dock Lifeboat Station is also recruiting for a Water Safety Officer. This role is ideal for someone passionate about preventing drowning and helping keep people safe around the water. Working with RNLI volunteers and partner organisations, the successful volunteer will help identify at-risk groups, develop targeted safety initiatives and coordinate local activity aimed at reducing preventable incidents and fatalities.

Lisa Newberry, Lifeboat Press Officer for Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, said:

‘These roles are fantastic opportunities for people who want to make a difference in their local community. Whether you're helping us engage audiences online, welcoming visitors or sharing lifesaving water safety advice, you'll play an important part in supporting the RNLI's mission to save lives at sea.

‘The Visitor Centre team is an integral part of our lifeboat station family and joining us is a brilliant opportunity to meet like-minded people, develop new skills and become part of a welcoming, supportive team. We pride ourselves on our One Crew ethos here in Barry.

‘We're looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers who enjoy meeting people and working as part of a team. Full training is provided and you'll become part of a passionate group of volunteers helping make Barry RNLI such a special place to visit.’

The Lifeboat Visits Team Member role is open to volunteers aged 16 and over, while applicants for the Social Media Officer and Water Safety Officer roles must be aged 18 or over. Anyone interested in finding out more or applying can visit the RNLI volunteering website using the links below:

• Lifeboat Visits Team Member
• Social Media Officer
• Water Safety Officer.

Notes to editors

• Barry Island RNLI Visitor Centre opened in 2017 and is one of the UK's first dedicated drowning prevention visitor centres.
• The centre offers free interactive experiences designed to help visitors stay safe around the water.
• Full training is provided for the roles.
• For more information about volunteering with the RNLI, visit rnli.org/volunteer.

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information, please contact RNLI Regional Communications Manager, Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, on [email protected] / 07977 728 315. For out of hours enquiries please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789. 

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.