TWO new youth groups called River Warriors have been set up by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s waste education team, to engage local youth in green tasks, encouraging them to take direct action in preventing waste and protecting and maintaining the local green patch along the Abberd Brook.

River Warriors launched on 1 November and had a great response with many youngsters turning up to help plant hundreds of daffodil bulbs, litter pick and make hot chocolate smoothies.

The first Thursday of the month is for teenagers and the third Thursday for families and young children. To find out more, email riverwarriors.calne@gmail.com.

The groups are funded by Wiltshire Council, and the trust is working with the Friends of Abberd Brook and River Clean Up.

The Friends of Abberd Brook is a volunteer group making the Abberd Brook good for both wildlife and people by leading conservation tasks along the Brook. River Clean Up is also a volunteer group cleaning up the river, one plastic bottle at a time.

Francis from the Friends of Abberd Brook said “River Warriors give young people a chance to get a sense of belonging to a group where they can get a buzz and improve their self-esteem when doing positive activities. It is a proven fact that improved mental health is apparent whilst working in the local environment and in touch with nature."

Follow what River Warriors are up to on their Facebook page River Warriors Calne.