press release: GLL
GLL highlights the importance of drowning prevention to kids nationally as summer holidays near
School assemblies and water safety messages as part of swim lessons
The UK's largest public pools and swim school operator, GLL, is providing timely activities during Drowning Prevention Week (13-20 June 2026) to raise awareness of water safety ahead of kids breaking up for the summer holidays.
Charitable social enterprise GLL operates over 145 pools, lidos and open water facilities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland under the 'Better' brand – many of which will offer Water Safety Lessons in Swim School sessions and School Swimming lessons, while some staff will go into local schools to deliver Water Safety Assemblies.
Drowning Prevention Week is an annual campaign run by the national charity the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK). GLL is RLSS UK's first Water Safety Education Partner - GLL and RLSS UK Partner on Water Safety in UK Swim Lessons.
Every year, children drown when falling into the water or getting into difficulties when swimming. Between 2020 to 2022 and 2023 to 2025, the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) shows that the number of child drowning deaths has increased 67%.
On average, over the last 5 years, 723 people drowned in the UK and Ireland each year, with 71% of child drownings happening between May and August, according to RLSS UK.
At least 17 adults and children died in water-related incidents during the UK's May heatwave.
Water Safety Code
To help avoid accidental drowning deaths this summer, the public are being urged not to jump in after someone - as difficult as it may seem - stay calm, stay on land, and always follow this 4-step Water Safety Code.
Whenever you are around water:
-
Stop and Think - Always swim in a safe place, spot the dangers. Take advice from signs and lifeguards.
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Stay Together - Always go with friends or family. Keep young children within arm's reach.
In an emergency:
- Call 999 - Don’t enter the water to rescue.
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Float - Float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in.
"Ashley Jones, head of water safety education at RLSS UK, commented: “We are grateful to GLL 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.”
Phil Donnay, deputy chief executive & CFRO
• Annodata,
• Physical Company,
• Technogym,
• Change Please, and
• Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include:
• Greenwich Council,
• Belfast City Council,
• Cardiff City Council,
• Lee Valley Regional Park Authority,
• LLDC,
• ukactive,
• SportsAid,
• SportsAid Wales,
• Mary Peters Trust,
• Swim England, and
• Sport England.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while new partnerships with Government Departments, NHS, National Agencies and numerous National Charities will support individual wellness and economic outcomes.
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
