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Dean Asplin On Fishing Solving Social Isolation in the Elderly

Our Partnership Development Manager Dean Asplin tells us how he’s funding fishing sessions to help solve the problem of social isolation amongst elderly residents in the Bristol area…

Angling coach Terry Smith and his wife Daniella are passionate about using fishing to transform people’s lives. They’ve been helping me to deliver free sessions in the South West of England as part of our Get Fishing initiative, a campaign funded by the Environment Agency to get more people into fishing.

Recently Terry and Daniella have been working with elderly men who are residents at care homes in Winterbourne, Thornbury and Frenchay, to provide fishing taster sessions at Bitterwell Park fishery.

I catch up regularly with Terry for an update on his goal to introduce 500+ people to angling this year – a target he looks like smashing!

When I last spoke to him Terry told me: “Angling is such a great way for people to get outdoors and back in harmony with nature. For elderly people like the care home residents from Bristol that we’ve taken fishing recently it’s ideal. It helps them overcome social isolation as it’s a great reason to meet up regularly, have a chat and do something that’s both active and contemplative – that’s a brilliant combination for health and mental wellbeing. Fishing is perfect for elderly people and their families looking for an inexpensive, fun and friendly pastime to keep busy and mentally active.”

Terry and Dan’s events are all listed at Get fishing near you, along with hundreds of other free sessions across England. Please encourage someone you know to get fishing!

Dean

Dean Asplin
Partnership Development Manager (South) – Angling Trust
[email protected]
07854 239 731
Twitter: @DeanAsplinAT
Instagram: @deanasplinat

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