RiverCare & BeachCare

20/06/2026

🌍💙 This weekend, we're supporting The Great Get Together — a national celebration of community inspired by Jo Cox's belief that we have far more in common than that which divides us.

From 19–21 June, people across the UK will be coming together to care for the places they love. Whether it's a litter pick along a river, a beach clean, or simply spending time improving your local green space, every action helps create cleaner environments and stronger communities.

At RiverCare & BeachCare, we see first-hand how volunteering brings people together. By working side-by-side to protect our waterways and coastlines, we can make a real difference while connecting with our neighbours.

Will you be taking part this weekend?

19/06/2026

🐝 Pollinators need our help.

Bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other pollinating insects play a vital role in our environment, helping plants reproduce and supporting healthy ecosystems.

But habitat loss and changing landscapes mean many pollinators are struggling to find food and shelter.

The good news? Even small actions can make a difference.

Planting pollinator-friendly flowers in your garden, on your balcony or in a community space can provide valuable nectar and pollen throughout the year.

Some great choices include:
🌼 Oxeye daisy
💜 Lavender
🌸 Red campion
🌻 Sunflowers
🪻 Cornflowers

Together, we can create spaces where people and wildlife thrive.

18/06/2026

☁️Today is Clean Air Day ☁️ a time to reflect on the importance of fresh air and how it helps build healthier communities, thriving wildlife and greener spaces for us all to enjoy.

Air pollution remains one of the UK's biggest environmental and public health challenges. Emissions from road traffic, everyday energy use and industrial activity releases harmful pollutants such as Nitrogen Dioxide which can cause long-term health impacts to humans and wildlife when inhaled.

Across the country, local authorities, communities and organisations continue to make positive changes to help improve our air quality, showing us that we all have a role to play.

When hosting your next event, here are some things you could consider:
🚶Walk or cycle to the meeting location if possible
🚌 Look at public transport options instead of driving
🚗 Arrange car sharing with other volunteers
🌳 Help to plant trees in your local green space

💚 Together, we can help make our neighbourhoods cleaner, greener and more enjoyable for everyone.

16/06/2026

🌍Today is World Refill Day 🌍a globally recognised campaign that encourages us all to choose reusable alternatives and refilling instead of buying single-use plastics.

Every refill helps to reduce waste and keep plastic pollution from reaching our rivers, parks, ponds and beaches. Small changes to our daily habits can have a lasting impact on our environment and the wildlife that depends on it.

Here are some swaps you could start today:
☕ Carry a reusable coffee cup for your morning cuppa
🛍️ Keep a reusable shopping bag handy for those unexpected purchases
🥡 Choose reusable food containers for lunches and leftovers
🧴 Look for local zero waste or refill stations for household and personal care products

Want to go the extra mile? Check out the here: Take Action for World Refill Day - Refill - Join the Refill Revolution. Make a swap. Do it for 5 days. Share it with the world.

We would love to hear your plastic-busting ideas. Comment down below about your everyday refill tips 👇

13/06/2026

🌊 Marine litter is one of the biggest threats facing our oceans today.

A recent review of global marine litter research found that plastic makes up around 80% of all marine litter, with much of it originating on land before being carried into the sea through rivers, drains and waterways.

The impacts are far-reaching. Marine animals can become entangled in litter, mistake plastic for food, and be exposed to harmful chemicals and microplastics that accumulate throughout the food chain.

The review also highlights that over 100 million ocean animals are estimated to die each year as a result of plastic waste, while around 700–800 marine species are affected by marine litter through ingestion or entanglement.

But there is hope.

Researchers found that prevention is one of the most effective solutions. Stopping litter before it reaches rivers and coastlines, improving waste disposal, and raising awareness can all help reduce the amount of plastic entering our oceans.

That's why every litter pick matters.

Whether you're cleaning a beach, a riverbank, a local park or your neighbourhood street, you're helping to stop litter before it reaches the sea.

💙 Thank you to all the Litter Heroes volunteers helping to protect our environment, one bag at a time.

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

Hi 👋

It's Friyay! Why not grab your gloves, pack your picker and join us as a Weekend Warrior?

🔊What events or activities are happening in your area? Help us make sure no one misses out - Spotlight your event by dropping it in the comments below and add it to the events page on the website from your dashboard 🔊 "

11/06/2026

Did you know? 💚

88% of people who took part in a Great Get Together felt more connected to their community, and 79% felt a stronger sense of belonging.

This June, we’re encouraging communities to come together through the Clean-Up – caring for the places we share while celebrating the power of connection and community.

📅 19–21 June 2026
Get involved: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/great-get-together-clean

10/06/2026

🎉 Annual Volunteer Conference 2026 🎉

On Friday we celebrated 25 years of the RiverCare and BeachCare Programme at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, Ipswich for our annual conference.

We had a great turnout of 21 volunteers from both long-running and newly established groups, as well as representatives from Anglian Water and the Keep Britain Tidy Volunteering and Community Engagement team. It was an inspiring day looking back on the amazing collective achievements of our volunteers and how they continue to improve biodiversity, tackle litter and boost the community spirit of where they live.

We also had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into our group’s ambitions and needs through our volunteer insights board, generating great conversation and new ideas for developing the Programme.

Key highlights from the day included:
🎉 Looking back over 25 years of RiverCare and BeachCare impact with Anglian Water
📝 An educational and interactive Log-Your-Pick workshop
💬 Invigorating round-table discussions amongst group leaders on Conventional Media, Social Media and Fundraising
🏆 Celebrating the contributions of our annual award winners
🚤 A sunny river cruise up the River Orwell on the Orwell Lady, courtesy of Anglian Water
🍰 Enjoying a celebratory cake on the lawn

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and made it such a special occasion. Missed out this year? Not to worry - we will be sending out a summary of the day’s discussions and highlights to all our group leaders very soon.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

08/06/2026

🌊 Today is World Oceans Day.

The ocean doesn't create litter. We send it there.

A plastic bottle dropped on a street, a crisp packet left in a park, or litter abandoned on a riverbank can all be carried by wind and rain into our waterways before eventually reaching the sea.

Once there, litter can harm wildlife, damage habitats and contribute to the growing problem of marine pollution.

The good news? Every piece of litter picked up is one less item that could reach the ocean.

Today, we're celebrating the incredible volunteers, community groups and everyday Litter Heroes who are helping to protect our environment and keep litter out of our seas.

💙 Be part of the solution. Be a Litter Hero.