Beyond the Surface
Beyond the Surface brings you life-saving water safety education and practical mental well-being tools from someone who truly understands both worlds. Hosted by Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE, this podcast combines the heart of a mother who lost her only son to drowning with the expertise of a professionally trained trauma-informed practitioner and water safety specialist.
After transforming her profound grief into purpose, Debbie has worked directly with the RNLI, police, fire services and emergency responders to understand what really keeps families safe around water. Her unique approach makes safety education accessible to busy parents whilst addressing the mental health skills that support both individual wellbeing and family resilience.
Each episode delivers powerful conversations, practical and memorable safety knowledge you can implement immediately, alongside mental health ideas that help you manage stress, support others and create lasting positive change.
Whether you're a parent seeking confident water safety knowledge, a professional in caring roles or someone on a healing journey, you'll find actionable insights delivered with authenticity and compassion.
Perfect for: Safety-conscious parents, HR and wellbeing professionals, healthcare and education workers, anyone interested in trauma recovery and nervous system health.
New episodes every Thursday.
Beyond the Surface
Uniting for Water Safety: Community, Partnership and Personal Stories That Save Lives with Dawn Whittaker - Ep.10
Uniting for Water Safety: Community, Partnership and Personal Stories That Save Lives with Dawn Whittaker - Ep.10.
Join host Debbie Ann Turnbull as she sits down with Dawn Whittaker, a decorated leader in UK drowning prevention, to discuss what it really takes to keep families safe around water. Discover the hard truths, lived experiences, and strategies that are shaping water safety across the UK.
- Dawn’s personal journey and what drew her into drowning prevention
- The evolution of water safety initiatives in the UK, including key national strategies
- The impact of data and research on targeting effective drowning prevention campaigns
- How partnerships and unified messaging have improved water safety awareness
- Practical advice and crucial safety tips for parents and young people around water
Like, subscribe, and check out the resources below for more tools on keeping your family safe and strong.
Chapters
00:00 "Origins of a Lifelong Journey"
05:59 Near-Drowning Experience to Lifesaving Journey
06:55 Promoting Water Safety Awareness
12:14 UK Drowning Prevention Strategy Launch
15:54 "Drowning Data Platform Launched"
19:35 Water Safety: Key Prevention Campaign
22:10 Navigating Support for Families
25:29 Coroner Support and Court Preparation
30:38 Honored at Windsor by Princess Anne
33:21 Water Safety for Teens
36:28 Promoting Water Safety Awareness
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Connect with Debbie and find out more about her work here:
W: www.riverandseasense.com
E: debbie@riverandseasense.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverandseasense
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-anne-turnbull-mbe-33190510/