If you are looking for a dynamic and varied volunteering role – and you’re not afraid to get stuck in – this could be the perfect opportunity.
There was a real buzz at RNLI Rye Harbour on the evening of Wednesday 4 March as the volunteers gathered for their regular training session. The team does an extraordinary job keeping watch over our coastline, but they need more helping hands. The station is looking to expand and is currently recruiting volunteers for a range of roles, including launch authority, shore crew, boat crew, tractor drivers, press officer and chair of the station.
The volunteers who make up the crew are enthusiastic, hardworking and deeply dedicated to what they do – saving lives at sea.
So why do people volunteer for the RNLI?
For many, it’s the chance to give something back to their community, to learn new skills, and to be part of a close-knit team that trains together, supports each other and stands ready to respond when the call comes.
What does it take to be part of the team?
• Enthusiasm
• A commitment to training
• The ability to work as part of a team
• And the calmness to act decisively during a shout
For those willing to step forward, volunteering with the RNLI is not just a role – it is a responsibility, a challenge, and a privilege.
Interested? Talk to volunteers to find out more
It is really useful to talk to those already involved and see what motivated them to join, before you come to have a visit to the station
Crew member Dave Saunders from Rye Harbour joined nine months ago. He was chatting to Chris King, boathouse manager, about his own boat and was inspired to find out more about joining; now he is part of the dynamic team and training hard.
If you live in the Harbour and would like to get involved why not e-mail Dave on dave.a.saunders@outlook.com and find out more.
Jamie, who is 19, has been part of the crew for just over a year and lives in Northiam. He said that his time in the Sea Cadets was so rewarding and fulfilling that he wanted to carry on his connection with the sea and joined the RNLI crew at Rye Harbour. He is taking up a post in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as a Seaman Apprentice later in the year and is happy to talk to anyone in Northiam who wants to know more. Contact Jamie on littlejamie667@gmail.com
Luke Ridgway-Grace, who lives in Rye, joined the crew at the Harbour because the time was right. He had been away to university and spent time in the miliary services so had had no fixed base. Now he has bought a property in Rye and can commit to being part of the team. He said that his time in the military had taught him many skills which he now uses as a member of the crew. He has his carried out his shore crew training and nearly finished his modules for being competent at sea. Joining the RNLI gave him a renewed sense of purpose and his love of the sea made him a great candidate as a volunteer. Do contact Luke if you live in Rye and find out more email Luke RidgwaylukeR@gmail.com
Also Amy Maynard is happy to help new recruits with information from a female perspective. She said that it is great to be part of such a vibrant, caring community at the boathouse and has found everyone very helpful. Contact Amy on Amymaynard30@gmail.com
Paul Ramsay is in Icklesham and is the publican at The New Inn in Winchelsea: he says to pop in and have a chat and find out more.
Paul White lives in Rye and will tell you about juggling with both a full time job and volunteering- pauljohnwhite@gmail.com
Saving lives at sea is no small commitment, but at Rye Harbour it is powered by ordinary people doing extraordinary things together. With enthusiasm, dedication and teamwork, new volunteers could soon find themselves part of a crew that stands ready whenever the call comes.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , The New Inn Winchelsea .