Record numbers of volunteers helping out on Shropshire canals network - and beating stress

Over the past 12 months, volunteers gave 47,036 hours to help the Canal & River Trust make waterways cleaner, greener and more welcoming – an increase of 10 per cent.

Publishing research showing how spending time by your local canal or river leads to a healthier and happier life, the trust has urged even more people to get involved.

Ani Sutton from the trust said: "With ever increasing rates of obesity, diabetes and other debilitating conditions and rising levels of stress, anxiety and other mental health conditions in the UK, waterways are uniquely placed to improve the wellbeing of the millions of people who live within easy reach of one of its free-to-use canals or rivers.

A report commissioned by the trust says the benefits of visiting a canal or river increase with the length of visit, with research showing higher levels of happiness and lower levels of anxiety for longer trips. It says any visit to a waterway is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction and the more often people visit the more satisfied they are with their lives

Towpath visitors questioned said they were ‘great places to relax and de-stress’.

“Our local waterways have seen unprecedented support over the past year and we couldn’t be more grateful," said Ani.

"Whilst making a massive contribution to their local community these volunteers also tell us that they really value the health and wellbeing benefits of being active and spending time by water. However, what’s clear from our research is that you don’t necessarily have to volunteer by the water in order to feel its benefits.

“A simple change to our daily routines could make a big difference to our wellbeing. Have your lunch by the canal instead of at your desk, walk to work along the towpath instead of taking the bus or jog by the waterside instead of an hour on the treadmill.

In the last year the charity has needed to spend more than £100 million on maintaining and caring for the waterways making them pleasant places for people to escape to, walk the dog, exercise, spend time with family and friends, or commute to and from work, with nearly 400 million visits each year.

Work done by volunteers include being lock keepings or taking part in towpath taskforce events. Groups can adopt their local stretch of canal or river, committing to help the Canal & River Trust on a regular basis to improve the area for the local community. For more information visit canalrivertrust.org.uk