By Fishing for Schools coach Warren White
Fishing for School's work with mental health and disability groups in the Kent region is very rewarding for all the coaches concerned. Our coaches Charlie Rayner, Bob Goble and David Evans always go the extra mile to make these sessions work.
CACT and Fishing for Schools
We have worked with Charlton Athletic Community Trust, known as CACT, for a number of years, CACT has scooped numerous awards for its work with vulnerable people in the community. Each year we deliver two fishing taster days with CACT; a group from London visit Shorne Country Park whilst a Kent group visits Hadlow College. The groups enjoy the opportunity to try fishing and the health & well being benefits of being outdoors is a great therapy.
CACT and Fishing for Schools
We work with Choice Support, a charity supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs in London and the South East. They are a wonderful group to work with, who love to be outdoors fishing.
Choice Support and Fishing for Schools
We also work with the Trevor Gibbens NHS Trust group from Maidstone. I met by chance some years ago when they were fishing at Hadlow. I gave them a little guidance and things snowballed from there. We now have a member of the group who is a keen fisherman and has got so much out of our course that he wants to be a fishing coach himself. In his own words he wants to 'give something back'.
There are barriers for any person with mental health and disabilities getting into a sport in the first place; fear of crowded places, low confidence and self-esteem. This process can feel impossible for a person with mental health. Angling is the perfect outdoor pursuit for people with mental health needs and disabilities. A hobby such as Match Fishing allows you to be outdoors and is a great tonic; anyone can sit on their box and compete with any able-bodied person once they learn the required skills. For those who want more exercise they could take up fly-fishing; you can walk miles on a river in pursuit of your prey and all in the surroundings of a wildlife bonanza.
To learn more about Fishing for Schools or to get involved, please contact us at fishing@ca-foundation.org. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.