Barnsley Premier Leisure helps keep communities safe around water 

Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL) has delivered vital water safety education to almost 20,000 children across Barnsley and Bassetlaw this year, as part of its ongoing commitment to keeping local communities safe in, on and around water. 

The trust’s dedicated Aquatics team delivered water safety assemblies to 19,058 children, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to recognise hazards and respond safely in water environments.  

Delivered ahead of the summer holidays, the sessions covered key water safety topics including identifying risks around open water, understanding the dangers of cold-water shock, knowing how to safely help in an emergency, and learning the importance of the Float to Live message. 

BPL’s Swim Safe programme works with schools across Barnsley and Bassetlaw to deliver engaging water safety education to pupils of all ages. Through interactive assemblies and awareness sessions, children learn practical skills and gain a greater understanding of how to stay safe in, on and around water. 

Aquatics Leader, Sarah-Leigh Dudley said: “Water safety isn’t just about swimming ability. Many incidents happen because people don’t recognise the dangers around them. That’s why our Aquatics team works directly with schools, delivering engaging and interactive assemblies that help children understand topics such as cold-water shock, floating to live and what to do if they see someone in difficulty. The response from schools has been fantastic, and we’re incredibly proud to have reached almost 20,000 children this year.” 

BPL was also proud to support Drowning Prevention Week, delivering a range of awareness activities and community engagement initiatives across its sites. 

 Activities included parent engagement sessions, Rookie Lifeguard taster sessions, free family swims and water safety social media campaigns, with 5,343 children taking part throughout the week. 

The campaign helped reinforce key safety messages, encourage conversations about water safety at home, and provide more opportunities for families to learn together. 

Sarah-Leigh Dudley added: 

“Drowning Prevention Week gave us another opportunity to bring important safety messages to families in a fun and accessible way. From Rookie Lifeguard taster sessions and free family swims to parent engagement activities and online campaigns, we encouraged thousands of people to think about how they can stay safe in, on and around water. The fact that more than 5,300 children took part demonstrates the appetite for this education and the value it can bring.” 

By reaching thousands of children and families across Barnsley and Bassetlaw, BPL continues to play a vital role in helping people enjoy water safely, building awareness that could ultimately save lives.