Cheshire schools urged to join water safety champions scheme

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 13:25 · Archive

Cheshire high schools are being asked to sign up to a water safety programme training staff and pupils as champions.

High schools across Cheshire are being urged to join the Cheshire Water Safety Champions Programme, funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price and delivered by Water Safety Matters. Each participating school will nominate one member of staff and two pupils to become water safety champions.

The champions will attend a free training day featuring interactive workshops and practical water safety sessions in a swimming pool. They will then return to their schools as ambassadors for the scheme, tasked with educating their peers about the risks of open water and how to stay safe around rivers, canals and open water.

Organisers say the programme is important because accidents still happen despite young people understanding the risks. Issues such as peer pressure, social media, wanting to impress friends and overestimating swimming ability can all contribute to dangerous decision-making around water. The initiative aims to move beyond traditional safety campaigns by focusing on changing behaviour and encouraging young people to influence their peers to make safer decisions.

Dan Price said the scheme puts Cheshire 'at the forefront of water safety education by setting an example for others to follow'. Louise Johnson, founder of Water Safety Matters, has spent more than 20 years in swimming education and water safety.

How it is being reported

• Schools urged to sign up for 'groundbreaking' water safety champions schemeCheshire high schools urged to join Water Safety Champions scheme, training pupils and staff to help peers stay safe around rivers, canals, and open water.Northwich Guardian · 5 Nov, 13:00
• Schools urged to sign up for 'groundbreaking' water safety champions schemeCheshire high schools urged to join Water Safety Champions scheme, training pupils and staff to help peers stay safe around rivers, canals, and open water.Warrington Guardian · 5 Nov, 13:00

In this story: Cheshire · Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner · Dan Price · Water Safety Matters · Louise Johnson

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