Return To Shore

A campaign of change by the
UK Lifeguard Solidarity Group

#ReturnToShore

Return To Shore

A campaign of change by the
UK Lifeguard Solidarity Group

#ReturnToShore

The Campaign

We formed in March 2020 to represent professional Lifeguards, Lifeguard Supervisors and Lifeguard Operational Assistants seeking financial protection under the Government’s Covid-19 job retention scheme (furlough).

We are a national movement. A collective group of over 600 individuals united in solidarity.

We want to #RETURNTOSHORE to support and protect our communities.

Lobby your MP!

Return To Shore

Return To Shore

U.K Lifeguard Solidarity Group (now approaching 600 members), launches the ‘Return to Shore’ campaign. A website, Facebook page and petition are launched simultaneously, with the aim of raising our profile and focusing on bringing a lifesaving service back to our coast.

Live on BBC1 News

Live on BBC1 News

U.K Lifeguard Solidarity Group’s story breaks nationally on BBC1 Breakfast News – Spokesman Tom Houghton raises the serious risk to public safety presented by not furloughing lifeguards. The UK treasury recognises the RNLIs role as ‘crucial’, but fails to offer a provision to retain its Lifeguards.

In the press —

Eastern Daily Press

Beaches could be without lifeguards should lockdown be lifted.

A Smaller Service

A Smaller Service

RNLI knowledge the difficulties faced in gaining clarity throughout this time and give Lifeguards a rough approximation of how the lifeguard service may look once/if lockdown procedures are lifted. It is made clear that this service will be far smaller than usual.

In the press —

Dorset Echo

Fears for swimmers over unguarded beaches.

UKLSG Formed

UKLSG Formed

U.K Lifeguard Solidarity Group is formed to support professional lifeguards in petitioning their MPs in order to achieve furlough status under government job retention scheme.

LG Service Paused

LG Service Paused

RNLI Lifeguards/Seasonal Supervisors and Lifeguard Support Assistants notified that all lifeguard operations ‘effectively ceased when decision (to pause lifeguard service) was made on 25th March.’ Those lifeguards/supervisors who had already begun employment were informed that they would be kept on ‘zero-hour contracts’.

In the press —

Wirral Globe

Fears beach safety at risk if government does not help support lifeguards.

In the press —

Carve Magazine

Why the government needs to step up and furlough RNLI lifeguards.

Stay At Home

Stay At Home

U.K Government instructs public to stay at home. RNLI immediately pauses 2020 lifeguard service – Citing the safety of staff/public and adherence to Government guidelines.

In the press —

BBC Spotlight

Now it’s the rescuers who are putting out the SOS (27/04/20).

In the press —

BBC One News

UKLSG Spokesman Tom Houghton discusses Lifeguard furlough issue on national news.

In the press —

Devon Live

Beaches could be ‘dangerously unprotected’.

In the press —

Wavelength Mag

Beaches could be left unpatrolled as RNLI lifeguards left without financial help.

Return To Shore

Return To Shore

U.K Lifeguard Solidarity Group (now approaching 600 members), launches the ‘Return to Shore’ campaign. A website, Facebook page and petition are launched simultaneously, with the aim of raising our profile and focusing on bringing a lifesaving service back to our coast.

Live on BBC1 News

Live on BBC1 News

U.K Lifeguard Solidarity Group’s story breaks nationally on BBC1 Breakfast News – Spokesman Tom Houghton raises the serious risk to public safety presented by not furloughing lifeguards. The UK treasury recognises the RNLIs role as ‘crucial’, but fails to offer a provision to retain its Lifeguards.

In the press

Eastern Daily Press

Beaches could be without lifeguards should lockdown be lifted.

A Smaller Service

A Smaller Service

RNLI knowledge the difficulties faced in gaining clarity throughout this time and give Lifeguards a rough approximation of how the lifeguard service may look once/if lockdown procedures are lifted. It is made clear that this service will be far smaller than usual.

In the press

Dorset Echo

Fears for swimmers over unguarded beaches.

UKLSG Formed

UKLSG Formed

U.K Lifeguard Solidarity Group is formed to support professional lifeguards in petitioning their MPs in order to achieve furlough status under government job retention scheme.

LG Service Paused

LG Service Paused

RNLI Lifeguards/Seasonal Supervisors and Lifeguard Support Assistants notified that all lifeguard operations ‘effectively ceased when decision (to pause lifeguard service) was made on 25th March.’ Those lifeguards/supervisors who had already begun employment were informed that they would be kept on ‘zero-hour contracts’.

In the press

Wirral Globe

Fears beach safety at risk if government does not help support lifeguards.

In the press

Carve Magazine

Why the government needs to step up and furlough RNLI lifeguards.

Stay At Home

Stay At Home

U.K Government instructs public to stay at home. RNLI immediately pauses 2020 lifeguard service – Citing the safety of staff/public and adherence to Government guidelines.

In the press

Devon Live

Beaches could be ‘dangerously unprotected’.

In the press

BBC Spotlight

Now it’s the rescuers who are putting out the SOS (27/04/20).

In the press

BBC One News

UKLSG Spokesman Tom Houghton discusses Lifeguard furlough issue on national news.

In the press

Wavelength Mag

Beaches could be left unpatrolled as RNLI lifeguards left without financial help.