Leading UK life and pensions mutual insurer LV=, makes a welcome return this year as the 2024 sponsor of the popular Kidzone summer beach safety scheme run by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.
The Kidzone initiative, which started in 2007, seeks to protect and reunite lost children or vulnerable adults with their families across the busy coastline throughout the peak summer season.
This year, LV=KidZone will be running from 1 July – 1 September.
The scheme provides essential support to the seafront team, working in conjunction with Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Dorset Police.
It has reunited thousands of children and vulnerable adults who have become separated from their parents, guardians or carers, as well as aiming to prevent them becoming lost in the first place.
From the 1 July, visitors will be able to collect free wristbands from all seafront offices and RNLI lifeguard towers across the 15 miles of BCP seafront.
In addition, from 24 July to 1 Sep, the beaches of Bournemouth, Boscombe, Alum and Durley Chine will be staffed by LV=Kidzone operatives who will be distributing wristbands directly to families.
The child or vulnerable adult’s location, and their parent or guardian’s phone number will then be written onto the band, and if they get separated during the day, staff will be able to reunite them with their friends and family.
Visitors to the seafront who come across a missing child or person, are advised to report this immediately to a member of the LV=KidZone team, a BCP seafront ranger or RNLI Lifeguard, who will be on hand to help.
Over the 17 years since the initiative began, the KidZone team have distributed nearly one million wristbands and reunited more than 3,250 lost children or vulnerable adults with their parents/guardians.
The beaches listed below are operating LV=KidZone this summer.
Bournemouth: Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Bournemouth West, Bournemouth East, Bournemouth Far East (multi-coloured huts), Boscombe West, Boscombe East, Manor Steps, Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne.
Christchurch: Avon, Friars Cliff, Highcliffe.
Poole: Sandbanks, Shore Road, Branksome Chine.
Parents and carers are advised to visit a participating beach and locate themselves close to an RNLI Lifeguard Tower, in case they require assistance.
For more information on LV=Kidzone visit: