Fantastic fishing opportunities in Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders programme reshaping lives and boosting confidence – get fishing events

The Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders (HACRO) has run a series of summer fishing projects, supported by the Angling Trust, using angling as a powerful tool to help people move away from negative behaviour and work toward a more positive, stable lifestyle.

Gerald Esmond, Head Bailiff at Stanborough Lake, Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, has led one of these schemes, which has brought together 45 different participants across 18 sessions. The atmosphere has been one of supportive fun and friendly competition, capped off with a match to see who could catch the most fish. Through these shared experiences by the water, participants are not only learning angling skills – they’re rebuilding confidence, forming bonds, and gradually reshaping their lives.

One participant remarked:

“HACRO bought me a fishing licence recently so I can go anytime. I’ve started going with my brother and it’s really brought my family and I closer together. I really enjoy being outdoors now, the weather doesn’t bother me at all when I’m fishing. It’s also helped a lot with my mental health and I really appreciate everything HACRO is doing for me. They have helped me so much.”

Why angling works — what the Angling Trust says

The success of HACRO’s fishing project aligns closely with the Angling Trust’s own evidence and experience of the benefits that angling can bring to individuals and communities. Through its Get Fishing and Get Fishing for Wellbeing campaigns, the Trust highlights how fishing provides more than just a pastime — it promotes mental health, social connection, and personal growth.

Here are some of the key benefits, based on Angling Trust insights:

Mental health and stress reduction: Angling creates a calm, natural environment where people can step away from daily pressures. The simple act of casting a line, waiting, and immersing oneself in nature helps promote mindfulness and relaxation.

Social connection and community: Fishing is often a shared activity, bringing people together in a supportive, non-judgmental space. For many, it becomes a way to form friendships, open up, and feel part of a community – vital for those who may feel isolated or disconnected.

Boosting confidence and self-esteem: Learning a new skill, setting small goals (like catching a fish), and succeeding can give people a real sense of achievement. These experiences can help rebuild self-worth.

Coping mechanism and emotional outlet: For individuals facing mental health challenges, angling offers a safe, therapeutic activity. The Trust’s “Get Fishing for Wellbeing” initiative explicitly supports people with anxiety, isolation, and other social or psychological needs by linking them with approved community partners.

Accessible and inclusive: Many Get Fishing events are free or low-cost, with all equipment provided, making angling accessible even for people with little or no previous experience.

The Get Fishing Fund, administered by the Angling Trust with support from the Environment Agency, provides grants (up to £2,500 per organisation) to help more people access these opportunities.

Health benefits via social prescribing: The Angling Trust also works within the social prescribing model – helping health professionals and community link workers refer people to angling as a way to improve wellbeing, reduce loneliness, and address longer-term social challenges. –

Putting it all together

In this light, HACRO’s project is a stellar example of how angling can be harnessed for more than recreation. It’s not just about catching fish – it’s about rehabilitation, building resilience, and restoring hope. By providing a structured but relaxed environment, this initiative helps participants not only learn to fish, but also to reconnect with family, find calm in nature, and develop meaningful community ties.

The Angling Trust’s backing – through its leadership, funding, and expertise – has been crucial. Their broader mission of growing angling participation and promoting its well-being benefits dovetails perfectly with HACRO’s goals, helping people make positive life changes in a sustainable, long-term way.

Well done to everyone involved in this project — from the participants, to Gerald Esmond, HACRO, and the Angling Trust — for showing how fishing can truly transform lives!

Take a look at our Get Fishing events – there’s likely to be 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.

Participants automatically join the Get Fishing Club, gaining access to exclusive resources, newsletters, and a 25% discount on beginner tackle from Angling Direct, the Exclusive Retail Partner of Get Fishing.

Find an event near you or contact your Regional Angling Development Officer to discover your local options for angling.

Useful Links

• Get Fishing – https://anglingtrust.net/getfishing
• Get Fishing Awards – https://anglingtrust.net/getfishing/get-fishing-awards
• Get Fishing for Wellbeing – https://anglingtrust.net/getfishing/getfishingforwellbeing
• Angling Direct – https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk
• Angling Trust – https://anglingtrust.net

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.