According to the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), an average of 723 people drown in the UK and Ireland each year – with 71% of child drownings happening between May and August.
To help raise awareness and promote water safety GLL, the social enterprise that runs four leisure centres in Reading on behalf of the council, is supporting RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week, which runs 13-20 June 2026.
GLL operates swimming pools and leisure centres across the UK under the ‘Better’ brand.
As part of Drowning Prevention Week, BetterSwim School sessions, school swimming lessons, and school assemblies across Reading are focused on giving children the knowledge they need to stay safe around water.
Kelly Clack, GLL’s Area Swim School Lead for Reading said: “We are proud to play our part in ensuring families stay safe this summer and are urging parents to access the free water safety resources available on the RLSS website.”
You can find the RLSS UK resources here: www.rlss.org.uk/dpw
“Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety Education at RLSS UK, commented: “We are grateful to the leisure centre teams in Reading for their support in amplifying Drowning Prevention Week’s key water safety messages nationwide. By working together, we can all help create communities free from drowning. The Water Safety Code is designed to be simple, clear, and easy to remember, equipping people, especially young children and teenagers, with the knowledge they need to stay safe around water, as well as the confidence to make vital early decisions and save lives in an emergency.”
As well as school sessions that include the RLSS UK lesson plans, centres are offering free colouring and puzzle activities for children and displays highlighting key safety messages.
Craig Woodward, GLL Partnership Manager for Reading, said: “Wherever you are swimming, being able to enjoy the water whilst also knowing what to do in an emergency is, we believe, an essential life skill.”
Whenever you are around water:
- Stop and Think – Assess your surroundings. Look for the dangers, always research local signs and advice.
- Stay Together – Always go with friends or family. Swim at a lifeguarded venue.
In an emergency:
- Call 999 – Don’t enter the water to rescue.
- Float – Float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in.
As a social enterprise, GLL offers concessionary swim school memberships, and all swim school memberships include access to other swimming sessions. More information is available at: Concessionary Membership | Gym, Swim & Classes | Better