ACT tutor takes to the sea to save lives

For many tutors at ACT, the mantra of ‘improving lives through learning’ isn’t limited to the classroom. That’s certainly the case for ACT Schools motor vehicle tutor, Jason Clifford Hillman, whose chance encounter in a supermarket has led to an incredible volunteering journey.

Jason first heard about the opportunity to volunteer with a rescue lifeboat crew when he went to Tesco back in 2018. He spoke with a team member collecting donations for SARA (the Severn Area Rescue Association) and instantly registered his interest to join the volunteer crew.

Given the nature of the role, training to become a lifeboat crew member is intense.

“It involves starting as shore crew before progressing to the lifeboat,” Jason explained. “You have to be able to swim in challenging sea conditions and inland waterways. It can test you stamina but the training gives you the knowledge and techniques to keep yourself safe.

“The sea survival course is the most challenging as you have to get into a raft after swimming away from the casualty vessel in rough water conditions. You are exhausted but you still need to climb into the raft – that was one of the more challenging parts.”

Once trained, Jason spent more than five years with SARA, although has recently transferred to the Port Talbot arm of the RNLI where he is currently a member of the shore crew.

Talking of the difference between the two charities, Jason said: “The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for over two hundred years – they are a big organisation. SARA is a smaller organisation so must prioritise what resources they have to make sure that all equipment and training keeps their volunteers safe.

“Both are charities and without the kind donations of the public they wouldn’t be able to undertake the work and keep saving lives.”

Unsurprisingly, Jason cites the life-saving aspect of the role as the most rewarding, as well as working alongside a close-knit team.

While the physical work remains such a key objective as a crew member, so too is education around water safety.

“We want people to enjoy the water but be respectful of it because if you don’t it can be unforgiving,” Jason warned.

While you might not immediately think there is much overlap between being a motor vehicle tutor and a volunteer lifeboat crew member, Jason believes there are some similarities between his roles.

“We have a duty of care to the public in the same way I have a duty of care for every pupil I work with. I am also constantly learning new skills not just practically but in interacting with others from different walks of life.”

The RNLI is currently celebrating 200 years of lifesaving work. Find out more about the charity here.