Severn Area Rescue Association - Tewkesbury

02/06/2026

🚨 Recruiting – Land Search Technicians 🚨

SARA Tewkesbury is looking for committed, community-minded volunteers to join our team as Land Search Technicians.

To apply, you’ll need to be capable of walking 5 miles in 2 hours carrying a loaded pack, work well as part of a team, and be willing to dedicate time to training and operational callouts.

If you’d like to make a real difference in your local community, we’d love to hear from you.

📅 Applications close: 30 June 2026

📝 Apply here: https://www.sara-rescue.org.uk/join-our-team

Ready to make a difference? From lifeboat crew to land search and fundraising, discover how you can volunteer with SARA and help save lives across the Severn region.

31/05/2026

🚨 Swift Water Rescue Training 🚨

Today our Swift Water Rescue Team practiced high line rescue techniques at a local river. High lines are a key rescue method, allowing teams to safely move rescuers, equipment, or casualties across moving water while reducing exposure to hazards.

Regular training ensures our volunteers remain ready to respond when needed.

23/05/2026

🚨 Team Member Spotlight – Meet Jamie 🚨

This week we’re shining the spotlight on Jamie, one of our newer operational members who joined SARA Tewkesbury as a trainee in April 2025.

Wanting to give something back to his local community, whilst meeting likeminded people along the way, Jamie quickly threw himself into training and has already achieved qualifications as a Land Search Technician and Swiftwater Rescue Technician.

Outside of SARA, Jamie works as a Project Manager for a Fire & Security company, delivering large construction projects. Family life keeps him busy alongside his partner Emma, their two children Jake and Hollie, and Percy the dog.

On the weekends you’ll likely find him out on a run, hiking in the mountains, on his mountain bike, rock climbing… or driving somewhere across the country in pursuit of his latest Parkrun Alphabet Challenge letter.

One of Jamie’s proudest moments so far was being issued his MREW red kit and becoming an operational member of the land search team, closely followed by achieving his Swiftwater Rescue Technician qualification, which he admits “was seriously tough at times.”

When asked what people might not know about him… apparently he’s a big fan of peanut butter and marmite on toast - we’ll let the team decide on that one…👀

His advice for anyone thinking about joining SARA?

💬 “Definitely do it. You’ll meet some amazingly talented, funny and downright crazy people, and pick up some solid skills along the way!”

21/05/2026

⛑️ Last weekend, we delivered an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course for our friends at the Black Bear Tewkesbury. ⛑️

An Emergency First Aid at Work course builds confidence and teaches lifesaving skills to respond quickly and effectively during medical emergencies. It’s great that we can help build these important skills in our community!

15/05/2026

Another great training session last night.

Launching one of our boats from Tewkesbury Sailing Club, the team worked through live rescue drills, completed our water fitness tests, and sharpened up on boat launching procedures.

Training like this keeps our skills current, builds confidence, and ensures we’re always ready when the call comes.

13/05/2026

Last month, one of our team members, Tom, attended the UK Emergency Robotics Responders Summit; a great opportunity to stay up to speed with emerging technologies that could support the future of search and rescue.

From live demonstrations and expert talks to hands-on discussions around how robotics and remote systems are being used in emergency response, the event offered plenty of insight into what’s coming next.

It was also a fantastic chance to catch up with colleagues from across the emergency services and SAR community, including Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue, who had travelled all the way from Poland!🇵🇱

Technology continues to evolve, and so do we! We’re always looking for new tools, ideas and partnerships that could help us search smarter, safer and more effectively.

11/05/2026

A short clip from last week’s boat training at Beachley.

The session saw Guy successfully complete his requalification as SFRBO, demonstrating the knowledge, practical skills required for the role. Congratulations on passing!

Regular training like this ensures our crews remain competent, confident, and ready to respond whenever needed. 🚤

02/05/2026

We were called by Gloucestershire Constabulary just after 8am on Friday morning to assist with some further searches for a person missing in the Staverton area. Land and water search team members from SARA stations at Sharpness, Upton, Wyre Forest, Tewkesbury, Cotswolds and Beachley all attended, along with colleagues from Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group.

Searches were carried out throughout the day but were suspended in the evening with nothing found. The police operation remains ongoing.

Many thanks to all who responded.

Library photo.

Severn Area Rescue Association - Beachley
Severn Area Rescue Association - Wyre Forest Station
Severn Area Rescue Association - Sharpness Lifeboat Station
Severn Area Rescue Association - Tewkesbury
Severn Area Rescue Association - Upton
SARA Cotswolds

30/04/2026

Last week, SARA Tewkesbury joined colleagues from Severn Area Rescue Association - Wyre Forest Station, Severn Area Rescue Association - Beachley, Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation and GCRG for a cross-station training exercise.

The session focused on casualty care and extraction in a challenging environment, with teams working together to manage a complex scenario using stretcher handling, rope systems and clear communication under pressure. It was a great opportunity to share knowledge, test skills, and build interoperability across stations.

A big thank you to Wyre Forest station for organising a fun and demanding session that kept everyone on their toes throughout.

30/04/2026

We were called out late on Tuesday evening, to support Gloucestershire Constabulary with the search for a man missing from Cheltenham, last seen in Staverton. Land search team members from SARA Tewkesbury, Cotswolds and Beachley Stations responded, and searched for several hours in the Staverton area through the night.

The team was stood down in the early hours of Wednesday, with nothing having been found. The police operation remains ongoing, and the police have appealed for any relevant information.

Many thanks to all who responded.

Library photo

Severn Area Rescue Association - Tewkesbury
Severn Area Rescue Association - Beachley
SARA Cotswolds