1 June 2023  Today is the start of #VolunteersWeek and the beginning of a very special countdown for us, as we look ahead to our 30th anniversary in 2024.
When the call went out in 1994 for volunteers to keep watch at the first ever lookout at Bass Point in Cornwall, the response was immediate. A public meeting was held and one of the audience stood up and said: “I reckon we’ve seen history being made here tonight!”. How right he was.
Since those early days, we’ve grown into an organisation with 2,650 volunteers and 59 stations, all sharing the same aim of helping to protect and preserve life at sea and along the coastline of England and Wales. Each and every volunteer is an important part of our history and our future. For that, we thank you.
This year, for Volunteers Week, we’ll be continuing our popular theme of ‘The Value of Volunteering’. We'll be sharing the stories of just a few of our watchkeepers and what it means to them to be part of National Coastwatch.
It’s also a moment of reflection for our Chair, Clive Pouncey:
“From small beginnings, we’ve come a long way and that’s only through the dedication of talented and generous people with big hearts. What’s so great about the NCI family is that the values are shared by the trustees, the management executive, national officers, sector managers, station managers and most importantly our watchkeepers and supporters.
“As an organisation, we’ve never stood still. We’ve had to move with the times and look ahead to the future to earn and maintain our place as part of the UK’s world class search and rescue community.
“This year we’re continuing our roll-out of plans to help improve coastal safety, with station teams now being trained to help deliver coastal safety advice within their local communities. And we’re continuing our programme of investing in technology and the expansion of our station network so we can help to keep even more people safe around our coasts, working with HM Coastguard, RNLI, emergency services and community partners.
“Since joining NCI Skegness in 2014, becoming the Station Manager in 2015, a Trustee/General Secretary in 2019 and chair in 2021, being part of this organisation has been immensely rewarding and a source of great pride. But now, as we approach our 30th anniversary and next stage of growth, I feel the time is right to step back and hand over the reins to the next generation.
“My successor will be announced by the Board soon and they will have the privilege of helping to take an incredible organisation to the next level. It’s been an honour to have played a part in setting the foundations for continued success. There’s a bright future ahead and I wish my successor and all the NCI family the very best in continuing our lifesaving work.
Thank you.”
If you’re interested in volunteering with us, we have 59 stations around the coast of England and Wales. Find out more here: Information for Potential Watchkeepers | National Coastwatch Institution (nci.org.uk)