Angling helps people with dementia – Get Fishing Events for beginners or to get back into angling

Regional Angling Development Officer for the East of England, Jack Culpin, has been working with the fantastic organisation Peaceful Place, to help people in his Region to address symptoms caused by dementia

Clare Kelly from Peaceful Place said:

“Fishing provides multiple therapeutic advantages for people with dementia. We have seen that taking part in activities – including fishing – can reduce symptoms of dementia. These include agitation, anger, frustration and depression. The inherently calming nature of simply being near water and taking part or being around a familiar, purposeful activity can promote relaxation and reduce anxiety in people who experience dementia, and Jack has been invaluable in his commitment and support for getting our members into fishing.”

Jack Culpin added:

“It is a privilege to work with Claire and the Team at Peaceful Place, these sessions are such a rewarding way to see the progress that participation in angling can achieve, when it comes to reducing the physical and mental symptoms experienced by the members of the activity group.

It is easy to see that fishing contributes to the regaining personal management of some of the effects of dementia, and puts control back over to them.

This is hugely rewarding and I encourage anybody who wants to try fishing to get in touch with their Regional Angling Development Officer to find out what we have in their Region.

Most events are free or very low cost, because of the contribution of funding from the Environment Agency from fishing licence income, and our partnership with Sport England who fund us to get more people fishing more often.

This includes the families and carers of people with illnesses including dementia, who can experience the similar benefits of the respite offered by accompanying, and taking part in fishing with a family member, friend or client – everybody is welcome to come and get into fishing!”

Fishing is good for your body and mind. It doesn’t matter what age or ability level you are and it’s great for children too to get outdoors and gain focus and concentration in nature, and away from their screens.

Bring friends and children to learn to fish, see some nature at the waterside and enjoy a wonderful experience for the whole family. It’s great to learn a new skill, re-awaken your love of the great outdoors and embrace some newfound knowledge that you can use when you come fishing again.

You can get in touch with Jack to find out more:

Jack Culpin
Regional Angling Development Officer (East of England)
[email protected]
07808 779470

Or, take a look at our Get Fishing events – there’s an event near you. All the Get Fishing events can be found here in our: Get Fishing event pages.

Our Get Fishing days are a great introduction to angling because you can simply turn up and fish and don’t need to bring any of your own fishing tackle or bait – it will all be provided on the day, by the event organiser.

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.