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Angling offers the opportunity to escape the demands of a busy work and home life by surrounding yourself in nature and wildlife away from a world of technology. It provides an opportunity for our minds to rest and reset and can be a meditative pastime that often happens in places where the wonders of nature are very evident. Here's how to incorporate angling in mental health and wellbeing support activity.

Get Fishing for Wellbeing

Welcome to the Get Fishing for Wellbeing project

Anyone who has been fishing will know how beneficial angling is at boosting mental health and wellbeing. On this page, you can find advice and links on how to start fishing and find a list of Angling Trust ‘Get Fishing for Wellbeing – Approved’ delivery partners local to you. We are championing these quality assured organisations to Health Service Professionals and Social Prescribing Link Workers so that consistently high-quality experiences and benefits of angling activity can be prescribed to people with mental health and wellbeing needs.

Angling has played a major part in my life and has substantially helped my mental health. I’m excited to be steering this project and coordinating my colleagues to help support as many people as possible to access to the amazing benefits of angling. I want to encourage everyone to enjoy all the natural benefits of spending time in nature next to water, and even catching the odd fish along the way!

Dean Asplin
Angling Development Manager (South)
If you are a Health Service Professional or Community Link Worker interested in providing angling for a patient please contact me direct – [email protected]

What is Social Prescribing?

Many things can affect our health and wellbeing – and sometimes these problems cannot be fixed just by medicine or visiting a doctor. That’s where social prescribing comes into play by connecting people to practical and emotional community support, through social prescribing Link Workers based in GP practices. In this way, social prescribing provides people with greater control over their healthcare in a way that suits them, and it can especially help people who:

  • have one or more long-term conditions
  • need support with their mental health
  • are lonely or isolated
  • have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing

Source: National Academy for Social Prescribing – www.socialprescribingacademy.org.uk

In Summary: Social prescribing links people to activities that are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations, for example, volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports and pastimes, including angling.

 

Just want to try fishing?

FIND FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN SAFE EVENTS

 

Get Fishing is the Angling Trust’s campaign to get more people fishing more often. Each year we run hundreds of events for all ages and abilities. Get Fishing angling events are for anyone who wants to get into fishing, get back into angling or find out where to go fishing, who to go fishing with, what to use to start fishing and how to go fishing for the first time.

 
 

Get Fishing for Wellbeing Approved Partners

Angling Health and Wellbeing Service Providers

Our Approved Delivery Parners in the North of England

 
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Get Hooked on Fishing – North

Fun, interactive training based on angling by young people to give participants confidence and show…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Windermere, Ambleside and District Angling Association…

The largest angling club in Cumbria Windermere, Ambleside and District Angling Association (WADAA Lt…
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Angle for the Community – Immingham…

Angle for the Community based at Homestead Park , Immingham , N .E Lincs ( DN40 2HX ) We offer angli…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Gilling West Fly Fishers – North…

We are a small, friendly fly fishing club based at Gilling West, a few miles from Richmond, North Yo…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Bradford Community Play & Development Service…

Our angling sessions offer many benefits for mental health and wellbeing, including confidence build…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Go Fish! – Warwickshire

Providing opportunities for coarse fishing enthusiasts to enjoy the great outdoors in Warwickshire a…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Active Angling North Staffordshire

Active Angling North Staffordshire We are level 2 licenced angling coaches with 40 years experience…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Everybody Can Fish – East of…

John Pope – Level 2 Coach – Everybody Can Fish Everybody Can Fish was formed to make Ang…
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

UK Fishing School – East Anglia

At UK Fishing School we not only introduce people to fishing, we support anglers through their angli…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Tackling Minds – Manchester

Tackling Minds aims to get people, from all walks of life, into fishing… Formed in early 2020, Tackl…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

HACRO – The Hertfordshire Association for…

HACRO (The Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders) works with offend…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Northampton Nenescape – Northampton

Nenescape Landscape Partnership Scheme works along the Nene Valley in Northamptonshire and Peterboro…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

MS Angling – Burnley

Fishing isn’t just about catching fish Fishing is an opportunity to take time out from the wor…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Off The Scale OE – Bolton…

We are a specialist Angling coaching, guiding & tutorial company delivering Coarse fishing lesso…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Young Anglers – Nottingham

Young Anglers was established almost 10 years ago providing angling education opportunities predomin…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

Phoenix Heroes – Essex

PTSD Support – VCAC Veteran Carp Angling Club We are a team of veterans, civilians, serving me…
Read more
 

Our Approved Delivery Parners in the South of England

 
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Dan Smedley – Cornwall

I’m a Level 2 Coach with First Catch Coaching and have been fishing for over 20 years. To this…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Reflections Angling – Dorking

We are focussed on providing a safe, friendly environment for those with mental health issues –…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Angling & Mental Health Initiative (AMHI)…

Angling & Mental Health Initiative (AMHI) – Sussex At AMHI we introduce the sport of fishi…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Willowbank Education- Canterbury

We aim to engage children through Fishing and Forest Schools We are a non-profit company established…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Kernow Coarse Fishery – Cornwall

Kernow Coarse Fishery offers a unique introduction to Angling course. We ensure to provide all users…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Trail Blazers Education – Kent

At Trail Blazers Education we aim to use fishing as a tool to teach young people the important life…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Fishwish – South West

Established in 2009, Fishwish offers everything from 20 minute taster sessions and group bookings, t…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing North
01 April 2023

HACRO – The Hertfordshire Association for…

HACRO (The Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders) works with offend…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

The School of Fish – Cornwall/Devon

Fishing for Positive Mental Health with fishing lessons that are carefully considered and have prove…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Sportfish – Reading Berkshire

Sportfish is one of the UK’s leading game fishing retailers and the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre (S…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Godalming Angling Club – Surrey

Godalming Angling Society was founded in 1881 with around 25 members – fishing Broadwater and…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Kingsbury Water Park – West Midlands

Country Parks has joined the initiative, aiming to get more people out and active in Warwickshire’s…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Get Hooked on Fishing – London

Fun, interactive training based on angling by young people to give participants confidence and show…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

iCARP – Essex

A programme, developed at Essex, is changing the lives of military veterans by helping them overcome…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Martyn Green – Devon

I’m a Level 2 Coach with Devon Fishing Guides and as a qualified teacher, writer, Level 2 sea,…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Mayfly Project UK – SOUTH

Changing the lives of children in foster care through fly fishing… The Mayfly Project UK is a regist…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Cast A Thought – Various Counties

We are a CIC providing a programme of fishing activities to act as a tool to support the mental heal…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

The Royalty Fishery – Christchurch Dorset…

‘The Royalty Fishery will look to kick things off in the spring, just prior to the start of the coar…
Read more
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Get Fishing for Wellbeing South
01 April 2023

Paul Jackman – Sussex & Surrey

Paul Jackman (Sussex & Surrey Angling Tuition) – I’m a Level 2 Coach and a passionat…
Read more
 

Want to appear on this page?

We’d love to support you or your organisation to become a Get Fishing for Wellbeing Partner. Become part of the growing number of angling social prescribing providers and help highlight all the wellbeing benefits that fishing can bring to people with mental health needs. Please get in touch.

 
 

What people say

Fishing has positive outcomes!

 
Get Fishing-Children

Truancy and Behaviour

Sarah Collins - Chief Executive, Get Hooked on Fishing

"Sam was 13 when his school referred him to us because he lacked confidence, had low self-esteem and was starting to truant and spend his days with young people involved in anti-social behaviour - now he coaches other young people on the scheme"
Get Fishing-Participant

Helps Anxiety

Event Participant

"After a close friend died suddenly last year from Covid-19 I started getting anxiety attacks. The doctor said to get out into nature and try meditation. It’s hard to explain but fishing feels like I do both at the same time and it really helps."
Get Fishing-Scenic

Tangible Outcomes

A Home Office youth work initiative - Positive Futures

"Most Youth Service professionals who have encountered the Get Hooked on Fishing scheme have sensed something special about the project. There is an apparent synergy of vision, commitment, process and tangible outcomes."
Get Fishing-Father or Coach

Mindfulness Toolkit

K Fields - Worcs

"Fishing has become part of my toolkit to supplement psychiatric medicine plus self-help like CBT, exercise and meditation. I recommend it to Community Mental Health Service practitioners as an effective, mindful activity."
Get Fishing-Friends

Confidence Boosting

Event Participant

"You’ll be pleased to hear I’m back fishing on my own. I did what you told me, and I feel much more confident now thanks. I’ve got two more friends who want to come next time – see you then!"
Get Fishing-Carpy

Focus and Relaxation

Barry - W Mids

"After a road accident caused a brain injury and PTSD I have had problems with concentration and tiredness. Fishing helps me focus and keeps me alert but relaxed. It’s helped me escape a very dark place and be happy again."
 

‘Get Fishing for Wellbeing Approved' partner videos

 

Angling Trust – We submitted a successful bid to Natural England to run 3 Get Fishing for Wellbeing Pilot Projects at Walthamstow Reservoir in London. The Project looks to improve people’s health and well-being by introducing them to angling, new friends and nature. It included the NHS 5 Ways of Well-being: Connect With Others, Be Physically Active, Learn a New Skill, Give to Others, and Pay Attention to the Present Moment. Participants now have the skills to go fishing and volunteer and mentor others to go fishing and improve their well-being too. Thanks to Thames Water, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, The Environment Agency and Angling Direct who supported the day, and of course to Natural England for incorporating angling in their programme.

Angling Trust – watch Dean Asplin and Jimmy Willis from the Angling Trust explain how fishing is the perfect fit for social prescribing, and how this natural affinity between spending time next to water in blue-green spaces, and issues which fit with the social prescribing model can really help people and communities to gain benefits. This initiative attracted coverage from BBC’s The One Show and Jimmy

If I’m ever feeling worried or anxious I’ll go to the pond and fish…fishing helped with my anxiety…it’s therapeutic
Declan – Winner of BBC Uplifting Stories (11-15)
Watch Declan explain more about how fishing helped with mental health issues after a car crash in this video.

iCARP – a brilliant video explaining how a programme, developed at Essex, is changing the lives of military veterans by helping them overcome the debilitating symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Get Hooked on Fishing – an angling charity which helps provide positive opportunities for young people and communities and one of the Angling Trust’s Key Delivery Partners. Get Hooked on Fishing  is a huge force in helping people from less-resourced communities, and those who do not fit with more conventional education programmes to seek solace for mental health and wellbeing, and behavioural or learning issues, via the restorative and life-changing benefits of simply going fishing. The charity delivers fun and interactive training around the sport of angling that is designed with the help of young people to give the participants more confidence and to demonstrate that there are alternative pathways and better opportunities available to them.

 

Funding Support

Get help with funding to include angling in your offer or become a coach

 

Is funding holding you back from getting involved?
We understand that it costs money to run introduction to Get Fishing events or to train to become an angling coach. We want to help support as many projects and coaches as we can to find how to fund events. Each year we enthusiastically help hundreds of organisations with direct funding, bursarys or to find funding that will pay for fishing projects and infrastructure. These include: fishing and other sport clubs, coaches, schools, charities, health organisations, youth groups and community outreach projects – please do contact us for more info – give us a call, drop us an email or connect on social media – we will do as much as we possibly can to get your project off the ground!

Regional Contact for your area:
Contact your Regional Angling Development Officer in the first instance for an insight to what may be available within your region: www.anglingtrust.net/getfishing/contact-us

Our range of funding offers:
We have a wealth of experience in sourcing relevant funding for sport development, including angling. The Angling Trust also manages various funding streams provided by the Environment Agency from fishing licence money, and from Sport England. You can also visit our funding support page for the most commonly available applications: www.anglingtrust.net/funding

Want to become an angling coach?
The Environment Agency also provides 50% coaching bursaries to support training of qualified and licenced coaches. This is rod licence income, reinvested back into angling to ensure professional standards around developing a lifelong fishing habit. Talk to your Regional Angling Development Officer for more info on our Coach Bursary programme, visit www.anglingtrust.net/get-involved/coaching and apply for a bursary from [email protected].

Sport England, Tackling Inequalities Fund:
This fund is available to organisations who work with people with long term illness including mental health issues. It is aimed to initiate new programmes to reduce the existing inequality gap experienced by some communities, and which Covid-19 has widened. Funding applications can be discussed in the first instance with [email protected].

 

 

Other opportunities

Outdoors and angling related activities

 

One in four people will experience some form of mental health problem each year such as anxiety and depression. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused elevated levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Volunteering and spending time outdoors has been shown to benefit and maintain mental health and help to protect from some mental health problems. There are lots of ways that anglers can volunteer some of their time. Many of these opportunities involve being outdoors, or working to improve environments where fishing happens. Here are some of the ways you can take part in angling related activities which will also help to improve the environment – most often near to water and in surroundings that will really benefit from your help.

Invasive Non Native Species Action days:
Throughout the country there are a number of local action groups (LAGs) that actively get involved in managing invasive non native species. A list of action groups can be found here so if you are interested in a hands on day, where you can meet new people in your local area and help to restore our waterways then have a look for your local group.

Habitat Improvement and Conservation Days:
As well as invasive species management, there are plenty of other ways you can get involved in hands on work to help to protect and conserve local wildlife. Keep an eye out on environmental organisation pages such as the Wildlife Trust, Canal and River Trust and Marine Conservation Society.

Litter picking:
Litter picking is a great way of getting outside, meet new people and a form of exercise. As well as this, by removing litter from the bankside, beach or waterway you are helping to protect wildlife from harm. By taking part in a litter pick you are showing pride for your area, and will encourage others to take part too. Get in touch with your local fishing club or tackle shop to find out what opportunities are in your area.

Species Surveys:
Another great way to get involved in environmental work is through species surveys. There are loads of options available out there depending on your interests. For example, you could get involved in The Angler’s Riverfly Monitoring Initiative, keep an eye out for particular species, such as water voles or hedgehogs, report invasive non-native species.

Get Fishing | Litter Pick

Taking part in an angling litter pick is a great way to meet like-minded people!

 
 

Get Fishing TV

Watch our how to ‘Get Fishing’ videos

 

Visit our ‘Get Fishing TV’ YouTube channel for beginners content that is informative, fun and inclusive. Our “How-To” guides use basic angling terms and easy to follow instruction so that you will be able to go fishing on your own!

 

Where can I go fishing?

Use our interactive map to find essential information to help you get the most out of your fishing.

 

Search for fishing venues, river levels, tackle shops, clubs and coaches – near to your home or further afield. Remember, you must have a rod licence for freshwater fishing in England and Wales. You can buy a fishing licence online or get one in a post office or over the phone. You are welcome to come to an event on your own or bring friends, family or a care-worker with you, absolutely everyone is welcome regardless of age, ability or background and you don’t have to bring any equipment – everything you need to get into or return to angling is provided – including bait!

 

Before you go fishing...

What do I need to go fishing legally in England?

 

Before you go fishing in England there are some laws and rules that you need to be aware of – this includes the legal requirement to have bought a fishing licence before you start to go fishing. Here’s a short video explaining what you need to know…

 

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