MySRP
Lynn Cooper, UKRA Board Member and former Chair.
The UK Radon Association is a professional body representing professionals involved in radon testing, remediation and protection across the UK. UKRA works to raise awareness of radon and provide easy-to-understand information on the subject.
We are a not-for-profit organisation supported entirely by volunteer directors and their employers.
Our registered office is in Cheshire, but our directors and members are based all over the UK, and even Europe.
UKRA came into being in October 2013 with five founder member companies, who each saw the need for an active trade association for the industry.
We don’t sell products, although our members offer a variety of radon-related products and services. We have organised a number of UK Radon Symposiums which bring together experts in the field from across the UK, Europe and North America to share information and experience.
Unfortunately the current pandemic has delayed plans for the next Symposium, but we are organising a series of free webinars for the upcoming Radon Awareness week.
We have had to arrange virtual board meetings and adjust the focus for Radon Awareness Week, as well as moving to webinars as the mode of delivery.
Whilst the SRP conferences are great for continuing professional development, I do (did) enjoy the networking opportunities and the chance to catch up with old friends.
Last year’s UK Radon Symposium was organised jointly between UKRA and SRP, and is therefore the most memorable for me as I was so involved in the programme from both sides. It was a very successful event and we are very grateful to Charlene and SRP for all their support in the organisation of it.
The only thing we have to give away at conferences is advice – and our membership application form!
You might meet any of our directors, some of whom are RPAs, while others work in radon testing, mitigation and prevention.
We believe our purpose and values align well with SRP’s.
Professional, informed, pro-active.
We have supported US-based charity Cancer Survivors Against Radon (CanSAR) with their campaigns, such as the Radon Tee World Trek that saw a t-shirt with the slogan Reduce Radon being photographed on its travels around the world. The aim was to spread awareness and encourage local action.
Our 2019 Radon Awareness Week campaign was fronted by TV and radio property expert Martin Roberts (of Homes Under The Hammer fame). We secured a slot on BBC Radio 2 for Martin to discuss radon with Jeremy Vine and, as a result, there was such a surge in traffic to Public Health England’s radon site of people checking the map, that the website crashed.
All our directors and members are passionate about the industry and our ultimate goal of reducing the number of avoidable lung cancer cases in the UK each year.
If you would like to be featured in our weekly Affiliated Organisation Interview column (or would like to recommend someone) please email sara.harrington@srp-uk.org