A former member of the armed forces, Joe left service in 2017 and found himself missing the camaraderie and close-knit teamwork that had been such a meaningful part of his life. When he relocated from Chesterfield to Cleethorpes at the beginning of 2024, joining the RNLI felt like a natural next step.

Joe began his RNLI journey in May 2024, starting as shore crew—just as all new volunteers do. Over the past year, he's steadily trained toward becoming part of the boat crew. Recently, he successfully completed his sea survival course and was officially cleared for service on the lifeboat—a proud milestone in his RNLI career.

While many volunteers recall dramatic rescues as their most memorable moments, for Joe, it was something a little different: running the Cleethorpes Coastal 10k alongside fellow crew members to raise funds for the station. That event reminded him of what he’d been missing since leaving the military—the bond, the shared goals, and the pride in working as one team.

“The most rewarding part?” Joe answers without hesitation: “Knowing that whoever you rescue has been returned to their loved ones.”

To Joe, being part of the RNLI means camaraderie, teamwork, and a deep sense of pride. His advice to anyone thinking about volunteering is simple and sincere: “Do it! Show up, be consistent, and give it a go.”