Message from the Chair

December is upon us already. Wow.

At this time of year, it is natural to pause to celebrate with loved ones but also to reflect on the previous 12 months.  

By the time this newsletter reaches your inbox, the National Water Safety Forum Coordinating Group will have met for the final time in 2021 and we will have asked ourselves some searching questions in relation to the UK Drowning Prevention Strategy.

If you attended the RoSPA Water Safety Conference and participated in the breakout sessions, I would like to thank you. Your contributions and insights will help the Coordinating Group as we hone our approach to the remaining five years of the Drowning Prevention Strategy. 

With the restrictions that COVID placed on festivities last year, I am sure many people will be keen to enjoy the Christmas break to the fullest extent possible. In and amongst the fun, please take time to share life-saving messages about alcohol and water safety via the Don’t Drink and Drown campaign. 

Finally, I would like to thank all those who gave me such warm feedback to my recent blog about working with bereaved families and individuals following fatal accidents. 

I look forward to seeing you in 2022 and continuing our work of reducing water-related harm in the UK.

Until next time,

Dawn Whittaker

Chair of the National Water Safety Forum

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