BRIDGWATER residents who are keen to improve their mental wellbeing are being invited to sign up for a canal cleaning project.

The National Health Service (NHS) says there are five steps to mental wellbeing and you can work towards these steps by taking part in the litter pick-up organised by the Rage Against the Rubbish group on Saturday, June 23.

Jason Winter, from Rage Against the Rubbish, said: “There are five things that, according to research, can really help to boost our mental wellbeing. These include connecting with people around you, being active, learning new skills, giving to others and being mindful. During our litter pick events we manage to do all these things.

“We have a great time connecting with the other volunteers taking part and also make new friends in the process. We’re also exercising either by walking or paddling the canoe and enjoy breathing in the fresh air.

“Also, if you haven’t canoed before then this is a new skill for you to learn.

"You are also giving something back to the community and this really does make you feel good.

"Finally, you have time to be mindful and enjoy the present moment around you.”

Rage Against the Rubbish was formed by Jason, Dan Perry, his eight-year-old son Riley and Damien Vass, all kayakers who regularly paddle along the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal.

They were fed up with seeing vast amounts of rubbish and discarded items in the waterway.

The latest event comes hot on the heels of a similar litter pick last month, which saw volunteers collect a huge haul of rubbish.

Bridgwater Mercury:
Rage Against The Rubbish volunteers at a previous litter pick

Jason added: “Our next litter pick will be on Saturday, June 23 from 10am until 12.30pm from the YMCA in Bridgwater heading towards the Boat and Anchor.

"We will paddle and walk towards the Boat and Anchor armed with our black bags and litter pickers and will collect rubbish from both the waterway and the tow path.

“We would love to see more people on the water and the YMCA are kindly offering us their double kayaks and Canadian canoes and life jackets for people to use free of charge.

"There are a limited number available so if people would like to use one for our next litter pick, please get in touch.”

READ MORE: Rage Against The Rubbish group cleans up Bridgwater Taunton Canal

Volunteers can also bring their own kayaks/canoes but they would need to also have a buoyancy aid and preferably public liability insurance, which is included with the British Canoe Membership.

The West Country Branch of the Inland Waterway Association (IWA) has also offered to help support the litter pick event once again by supplying volunteers and a flat work boat with on-board rubbish, storage containers.

They will also be supplying bag rings and bags and will also dispose of the rubbish removed from the canal.

The IWA is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country’s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.

Jason added: “If volunteers could please bring with them gloves and a few bin bags that would be appreciated.

"James Presdee, from Clean Surroundings at Sedgemoor District Council, has donated bin bags, bag hoops and litter pickers to our cause but depending on how many volunteers attend we may need a few more litter pickers to go around."

Anyone wanting to get involved can find the group on Facebook, Twitter, or email rageagainsttherubbish@gmail.com.

"No one is too old or young to join in as our youngest member is eight-year-old, Riley Perry, but we do ask that all children are supervised by adults,” he added.

The Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Litter Pick will take place on Saturday, June 23 from 10am until 12.30pm from the YMCA George Williams Centre on Friarn Avenue in Bridgwater.