National Water Safety Conference 2026

From Strategy to Prevention: Shaping the Future of Drowning Prevention in the UK. Join leading experts, practitioners, and educators to share knowledge, collaborate, and drive action.

You're invited to join us

RoSPA is proud to host the National Water Safety Conference on Tuesday, October 06, 2026 in Birmingham. Every year, around 400 people drown in the UK, with a further 200 taking their own lives in our waters. Our conference provides a vital platform for water safety leaders, practitioners, educators, and academics to come together, share knowledge, and shape the future of drowning prevention.

This one-day event will explore the theme:
“The UK Drowning Prevention Strategy: From strategy to prevention”.

Join us to connect with a collective voice dedicated to promoting water safety, influencing policy, and implementing evidence-driven approaches to education and communication. Together we can champion the principles of the UK Drowning Prevention Strategy 2026 onwards and work towards a safer future for everyone.

Submit your abstract today

Use the form below and help us create a dynamic, informative programme that drives action in drowning prevention. Before submiting your abstract read our abstract submission guidance document using the link below.

Submit abstract

Guidance document

Reasons to attend

At RoSPA’s National Water Safety Conference, you’ll:

Gain actionable insights from leading experts and practitioners across the UK
Collaborate and network with fellow professionals who share your commitment to water safety
Develop skills and discover practical tools and strategies to implement in your work
Influence policy and practice, contributing to a consistent, evidence-based approach to drowning prevention
Learn from best practice through keynote talks, oral and poster presentations, and interactive breakout sessions covering education, communication, policy, and data.

Whether you’re looking to advance your professional knowledge, strengthen partnerships, or explore innovative approaches to water safety, this conference offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of drowning prevention in the UK.

Call for abstracts

The conference organisers invite you to share your expertise and join our list of reputable speakers. We welcome abstracts on the following topics:

Evidence and data – research, analysis, and evaluation methods in water safety
Education – innovative approaches to increasing knowledge, skills and experience in water safety, swimming and water competency
Communication – campaigns, messaging, and public engagement strategies
Policy – approaches to collaboration between government, landowner and other responsible parties as well as management of risks in and around water.

Preference will be given to abstracts that advance knowledge, provide practical case studies, or explore innovative methodologies, tools, or techniques.

Location

Venue TBC, Birmingham, UK

Date: Wednesday, October 07, 2026

Join us in the heart of Birmingham for a one-day conference featuring three breakout rooms, keynote talks, networking opportunities, and oral and poster presentations. Discover new ideas, share experiences, and connect with water safety leaders from across the country.

Why experts and attendees recommend the Water Safety Conference

“The Water Safety Conference was incredibly valuable in bringing together the drowning prevention and water safety community, from researchers and practitioners to key stakeholders. The research presentations created an excellent platform for meaningful discussion, enabling collaboration and the sharing of knowledge across the sector. It’s a vibrant and energising event that tackles the challenging issue of drowning, supported by a highly motivated network of people and organisations dedicated to informing and improving prevention. I would highly recommend attending.”

Martin Barwood, Professor of Applied Environmental Physiology, Leeds Trinity University

“I really enjoyed speaking at the Water Safety Conference; it was a fantastic opportunity to share insights into some of the work that I, along with others, have undertaken.Teams and Zoom calls certainly have their place, but I personally believe we gain much more when we meet in person and learn from others in the community. The event provided valuable networking and collaboration opportunities, and I would highly recommend attending or presenting to anyone passionate about improving water safety.”

Health and Safety Membership

RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders