Angling stops anti-social behaviour – go fishing instead!

In just over one year the Mending Lines project has helped hundreds of young people enjoy an amazing 535 fishing sessions, helping them relax, gain confidence and stay out of trouble and be active outdoors

Since establishing Mending Lines 15 months ago Chris Parker has seen the project go from strength to strength! Just recently, one of the Mending Lines Angling Open Days at Willow Lakes, Foston, saw 50 young people turn up to fish, many for the first time – as well as partner agencies in a big ‘fishing get together’! Chris and the Mending Lines Team work effortlessly to get more young people to go fishing, thereby diverting attention in rural youth communities away from anti-social behaviour, that can be a gateway to drug use, violence, theft and other criminal activity. By placing a diversion in front of this, fishing has stopped youngsters in the East of England from being bored, inactive and screen-focussed. It has helped newcomers to angling discover the benefits of spending time outdoors, often giving them the reason they need to not be encouraged into anti-social activity.

Chris said:

“We’ve held 535 sessions since we first started, mostly one-to-one or in small groups. The impact is massive, kids with ADHD benefit so much.”

Mending Lines has done so much to share the common values of the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing Campaign – we can’t help but praise their efforts!

Thanks to the Newark Advertiser for use of the images.

Anyone who has been fishing will know how beneficial angling is at boosting mental health and wellbeing. Get Fishing for Wellbeing brings new skills, an appreciation of the outdoors and the habitats where we spend time by water, and encourages patience and concentration as well as providing a personal challenge. You can find an event in your area here!

The Get Fishing campaign is funded by

The Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign to get more people fishing more often is funded by the Environment Agency from fishing licence income as part of the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Angling Trust, and Sport England. Children under 13 do not need a licence, and licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free but you still need to register and receive a licence before you go fishing. You can get a licence for the full year, for 8 days (ideal for holidays!) or just a day’s fishing.

NOTE: Although young children who are under 13 year old do not need a licence to fish, the person supervising them needs to have the proper fishing licence before they take hold of the fishing rod or help the child fish with it.

Get Fishing is Proudly Supported by

The Angling Trust’s ‘Get Fishing’ campaign is proudly supported by Angling Direct, Exclusive Retail Partner
as we work towards getting more people fishing, more often.

If there’s something that you cannot find here to help you start fishing or return to angling, please contact your local Regional Angling Development Officer – you can find the nearest one to where you want to go fishing here.