WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN US
Saves Lives, Learn New Skills, and Build Confidence in Yourself!

Search and rescue teams have been around since the dawn of human existence. The need to find and save comrades is a primal, deeply-set drive within all of us. Find out the difference it makes in your life to be a helper in your community as a member of a dedicated search and rescue organisation.

When it comes to the development of our skills and fitness, people typically rely on self-imposed challenges to stay motivated. Yet many people frequently find that they will still yearn not only to possess such capacities for personal pleasure, but to test and utilize them in the real world. When we know that our mental and physical skills might be put to real use, we’re more driven to keep them sharp.

Challenge yourself and save lives as a Lifeboat Crew Volunteer

Our crew is drawn from the local Freshwater area and from all walks of life. Some of us have come from a background on the sea and others from more land based environments. There are approximately 20 people on the crew. Some of us prefer to be involved only with launching and recovering the boats, whilst others will also crew the boats at sea under the direction of the coxswain or helms. We currently have 2 coxswains and 2 additional helms taking the responsibility for directing rescues at sea. In addition some of the crew are also designated crew and helm on the D class. It takes at least 3 people to launch the boat and 4 people to crew her.

How to get involved

We provide all necessary training and equipment for volunteers to become crew members. This provides an excellent opportunity for learning development, as well as continuing the life saving tradition. We offer an opportunity to begin one of the most rewarding Search and Rescue voluntary roles in the world. To become a crew member you need to: be over 18 and under 45 years old be physically fit live and/or work within the Freshwater area. You also need to be a team player who will be accepted by the crew communicate, well with others, listen and carry out instructions, be enthusiastic, and reliable for training, and fundraising events. If you are willing to learn new skill and challenge yourself, then come down to the boathouse on a Wednesday night 7:30-10:30 pm or Sunday morning 9-11 am.

If you would like to become a crew member email the boathouse on [email protected] Or ring and leave a message on 01983 755090. We will get back to you.

If you're selected as a Lifeboat Crew Volunteer, you'll be given training over a 12-month probationary period. It will include:

   • Search and rescue skills
   • Basic first aid
   • Casualty and stretcher handling
   • STCW survival techniques
   • Navigation, GPS and VHF radio communications
   • Powerboat Level 2

Learn Technical and Teamwork skills as a Ground Crew Volunteer

If you're selected as a Ground Crew Volunteer, you'll be given training over a 12-month probationary period. It will include:

   • Search and rescue skills
   • Basic first aid
   • Heavy Machinery Operation
   • Engine Maintainence and repair
   • Project planning and operational skills
   • VHF radio communications

In common with Lifeboat crew volunteers, our groundcrew is drawn from the local Freshwater area and from all walks of life. Everyone's contribution is highly valued and we recognise that the ground crew roles are essential to Lifeboat operations and safety. Many times our ground crews dedication to duty has enabled the Lifeboats to confidently launch and recover safely in severe conditions. Our ground crew and Lifeboat crew work together as a single unit that enables the FILB to save lives at sea.

How to get involved

We provide superb training and equipment for our ground crew members. This provides an excellent opportunity for learning, as well as continuing the life saving tradition. We offer an opportunity to begin one of the most rewarding voluntary jobs. To become a ground crew member you need to: be over 16 and under 65 years old be physically fit live and/or work within the Freshwater area be a team player who will be accepted by the crew, communicate well with others, listen and carry out instructions, be enthusiastic, and reliable for training, and fundraising events. If you are willing to learn new skill and challenge yourself, then come down to the boathouse on a Wednesday night 7:30-10:30 pm or Sunday morning 9-11 am.

If you would like to become a crew member email the boathouse on [email protected] Or ring and leave a message on 01983 755090. We will get back to you.

Meet your community and develop your social and interpersonal skills as a Fundraising Volunteer

We are always looking for fundraisers and event organisers. Supporters and Volunteers have helped to make the Charity what it is today. Can you help with fundraising? We always need extra help for our various activities throughout the year. Could you plan an open day, rattle a bucket to collect coin at a fundraising event, bake a cake for the open days, give a temporary home to our supply of donated books while they are sorted before going to the shop, empty our 60 collection boxes when they are full, or even play Santas Elf in a Grotto?

Perhaps you have skills with the various media platforms that we could use? Letting people know what is going on by social media is very important to us.

Do you have any other talents or skills which could help us if you have a little time to spare? If you are able to help in any way, contact us by emailing the fundraising team at [email protected] We will get back to you.

Work with the public in our amazing shop and represent our community

If you're selected as a Shop Volunteer, you'll will be given all necessary in-house training to succeed and build confidence in your new role. It will include:

   • Customer Service Skills
   • Point of Sale Systems
   • Financial Managment
   • Inventory Management
   • Public Relations
   • Safety Awareness

Our shop volunteers are often the public face of the Freshwater Independent Lifeboat. They are our heart and soul of the organisation and always willing to give local advice, information, and lend a hand wherever they can. Their amazing work in the shop helps raise much needed funds that enable us to save lives. Many times after a lengthy callout our crew has found warmth in our shop, either from a hot drink or a from a shop volunteer's smile.

How to get involved

Our FILB Boathouse shop is always in need of volunteers to help out. Do you like working with the general public? Are you happy handling cash and working a till? Then our shop manager could do with your help in the shop. It is open every day from April until the beginning of November each year and on some Sundays over the winter. The opening hours are 1030-4.30 but each shift is only 2 hours.

So if you have time on your hands and would like to help us please contact our Shop Manager in the shop on 01983 755090 (leave a message please if he doesn't answer) or email him at [email protected]

FILB Youth Volunteer Program

The Freshwater Independent Lifeboat Youth Volunteer program was initially started to address the aging population of our community volunteers. There has been research conducted suggesting that 67% of all search and rescue volunteers were male and over the age of 40. It was clear to us that the emergency response sectors were entering a period where there was an increase in the number of volunteers unsuitable for field deployment and that this would continue to a point of crisis from 2020 and beyond unless this was addressed at a strategic level.

If you're selected as a Lifeboat Crew Volunteer, you'll be given training over a 12-month probationary period. It will include:

Our core program objective is to train young people to become active community volunteers in the search and rescue and civil defence emergency management sector. We are aiming to create multi-skilled young people who will be invaluable to their community. It’s highly likely some of our youth volunteers will go on to save lives, but also going to be great human beings who give back to their local community.

   • It motivates young people back into accessing mainstream services
   • It supports the reintegration of disengaged young people
   • It coaches young people in a wide range of skills to enhance their confidence and motivation
   • It increase their employability opportunities through experiences and recognised qualifications
   • It reduces risk of social exclusion and involvement in criminal/anti-social behaviour
   • It encourages young people to make healthy lifestyle choices

If you are interested in the FILB Youth Volunteer program please contact us by emailing the boathouse on [email protected] Or ring and leave a message on 01983 755090. We will get back to you.