Trailblazing Laura Inspires New Lifeboat Crew Members at Redcar RNLI
Laura Wedgewood seeks diverse volunteers to join Redcar RNLI’s lifesaving team
Redcar, UK, RNLI, Lifeboat, Volunteers, Diversity
Redcar: Laura Wedgewood is making a splash at the Redcar lifeboat station. As the only female crew member, she’s on a mission to get more folks from diverse backgrounds to join her.
Since she started volunteering in October 2021, Laura has been a key player. Last year, the lifeboat launched 53 times, saving four lives and assisting nine others. She’s also the first fully qualified navigator in the station’s long history, which is pretty impressive!
By day, Laura manages a children’s home, but she finds her lifeboat work incredibly rewarding. She wants to see more women and LGBTQIA+ members on the team. It’s all about making the crew reflect the community they serve.
Laura recalls her first day, feeling a bit out of place among a room full of men. But she quickly found her footing and felt welcomed. Now, she can’t imagine life without her crew. They’re like family to her.
To attract more diverse volunteers, the Redcar lifeboat station is hosting an open event on January 14. Laura emphasizes that there are many roles beyond just going out on launches. There’s a whole team behind the scenes, from shore crew to fundraising volunteers.
Mike Picknett, the lifeboat operations manager, backs Laura’s call for diversity. He believes that different perspectives make the team stronger and more effective in high-pressure situations. It’s all about saving lives, and everyone has something to contribute.
Laura, now 33, feels the support from her crew is unmatched. They’ve become her go-to for advice and help. She takes pride in the lives saved and the camaraderie built through shared experiences.
She hopes to see more women and under-represented groups join the crew. The more hands on deck, the better they can serve the community. If you’re interested in joining, check out the Redcar RNLI’s Facebook page or drop Laura an email.