From national insight to local action: How RoSPA supports water safety across the UK

Greater Manchester Water Safety Strategic Partnership has worked with RoSPA to reduce drowning across the Greater Manchester region.

RoSPA’s expertise in water and leisure safety spans not only recreational activities in or near water but also the prevention of accidents around canals, rivers, the sea, lakes and lochs. Since 1983, RoSPA has compiled the UK’s national drowning statistics, providing us with unique insights into risks and the safety provision at open-water locations.

A particularly important aspect of our work focuses on improving safety at the growing number of public and private sites that feature water on or near their grounds. RoSPA consultants carry out comprehensive safety audits of indoor and outdoor water environments, alongside many leisure and recreational sites, and provide guidance for projects still at the development phase.

Through its consultancy audits, policy guidance and strategic leadership, RoSPA works closely with partners across the country to reduce water-related harm. One such collaboration is with the Greater Manchester Water Safety Strategic Partnership (GMWSSP), established and chaired by James Bridge, Water Safety Development Officer for Greater Manchester. Here, James explains why RoSPA’s expertise has been central to the partnership’s mission and why engagement with RoSPA is essential for anyone working in water safety today

Why did you decide to work with RoSPA?

“RoSPA is a sector leading agency in water safety in the UK. They have vast experience and expertise in this area and have been highly supportive of our work in Greater Manchester. They were an obvious ‘go to’ when I commenced in this role.”

How would you describe working with RoSPA?

“I have built professional relationships with RoSPA colleagues who have been of immense assistance to me and our work.

“RoSPA colleagues have supported the water safety sector nationally, the GMWSSP project and me personally in many ways, but I would particularly emphasise:

• Developing, circulating and publicising water safety policy, guidance and procedure documents
• Helping set strategic and tactical direction in Greater Manchester
• Influencing national water safety policy
• Developing and sharing water safety messaging, campaign materials and resources
• Leading sector debate and influencing future planning
• Assisting local practitioners in our day-to-day activity
• Sharing best practice across the sector.

“I would definitely recommend working with RoSPA. In fact, I would go so far as to say that working in water safety without engaging with RoSPA would be foolish indeed, such is their influence and importance to the sector.”

Find out more about RoSPA’s Inland Waterways Site Review consultancy here