A MAJOR New Year volunteer recruitment drive has been launched by Minehead’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station.

The RNLI needs a volunteer co-ordinator for the Minehead station, and more members for its fund-raising, shop, and tour teams.

A spokesperson said: “January is a time for New Year’s resolutions, and making positive life changes.

“What could be better than joining the team who save lives at sea in Minehead?”

Community manager Andrew Escott said: “We urgently need to find volunteers to make 2025 our best fund-raising season yet.

“We really do have roles for everybody, from working in our well-stocked shop, showing visitors our state-of-the-art new boathouse, and taking part in fund-raising events all over the West Somerset area.”

Mr Escott said full training would be provided for any new volunteers, whose time commitment could be ‘completely flexible’.

Minehead RNLI chairman Richard Newton said: “We have a goal to expand all areas of our team, from making tours available seven days a week, to covering a more diverse range of events.

“We can only do this with a committed team of volunteers.”

A new visits team was put together for the Minehead station following a £1 million remodelling of the boathouse last year in time for the charity’s 200th anniversary celebrations in 2024.

The station is one of the RNLI’s highest performing for visitor satisfaction.

Volunteers need to be aged 18 years or older, and anybody who is interested should email [email protected] or go along to the boathouse’s open day on Saturday, February 15.