Yorkshire Water invests in coastal water safety with new community role

The role forms part of Yorkshire Water’s growing programme of education and community engagement and comes as they prepare to deliver significant investment along the East Coast to improve water quality and the wider water environment

The successful candidate will build relationships with local schools, community groups and other organisations, helping young people develop a greater understanding of the importance of staying safe around water, protecting the natural environment and the role water plays in everyday life.

The new coastal focus will also provide an opportunity for education to sit alongside Yorkshire Water’s investment programme, helping communities understand the work taking place in their area, and the importance of improving the health of rivers and coastal waters.

Yorkshire Water’s safety education programme is particularly important for young people living in or visiting coastal communities.

Sessions help children understand the hidden dangers associated with open water, including cold water shock, currents and unseen hazards, as well as how to make safer choices and what to do in an emergency.

The programme covers open water environments including rivers, reservoirs, canals, and the sea.

Yorkshire Water's social value and education team manager Anne Reed said: “A second education advisor on the coast will give us the flexibility we need to fully support the upcoming investment programme and to engage with schools who are going to be aware of our contractors once the work gets underway.

"Children are the customers of the future so, if we can help give them an understanding of just how precious water is as a resource, it could help them better appreciate our role, exactly what their bill pays for – and how the things they do as individuals can influence both.”

Go to tinyurl.com/35arjkvp to find out more about the role.