Wellbeing walkers spread some happiness to mark the start of Spring!

A group of outdoor walkers gathered to welcome the Spring Equinox on Monday 20 March with a riverside walk along the Rivelin Valley to spread some positivity on the International Day of Happiness.

The River Stewardship Company’s Riverlution team were joined by Sue from the Rivelin Valley Conservation Group and members of the public attending as part of Sheffield- The Outdoor City’s ‘Festival of the Outdoors’. The month-long festival celebrates our unique relationship with the outdoors in a city that has 61% greenspace and 5 rivers running through it, which equals some of the best nature and culture inspired walking routes that could be wished for.

Riverlution CIC are encouraging the people of Sheffield to #behappybeblue and get out and about by their local waterway this Spring.

Being by water can have a hugely positive influence on our lives and benefits not only our mental, but our physical health too. The Spring Equinox on Monday 20 March coincides with the International Day of Happiness and so marked the perfect time to explore our green and blue spaces teeming with wildlife and heritage.

Birds spotted along the River Rivelin walk to Nether Cut Wheel included wagtails, dippers, coal and long tailed tits and ducks! The welcome sights of daffodils and hawthorn buds were early signs that Spring has arrived!

Sheffield’s rivers and waterways are always exciting come rain or shine, and provide the perfect place to escape to for a lunchbreak walk along the canal, or a simple nature trail with the family beside one of the city’s 5 glorious rivers, where you are likely to spot a kingfisher or heron as you immerse yourself in the majestic wild scenery available right here on your doorstep for free!

The River Stewardship Company (RSC) and Riverlution CIC strive to connect local people to their ‘patch’ of waterway to create better waterways for people, places and wildlife. Its series of ‘Riverlutionary’ Wellbeing Walks supports the #walkwithme campaign with the hope that we can all help and encourage each other to improve our wellbeing by regularly walking by water.

Remember to look for signs of spring when enjoying a waterside walk wherever you are this March and share your experiences using the hashtags #behappybeblue #walkwithme #riverlution #FOTO23.

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