Angling Trust team deliver another excellent sea-fishing event!

Carole and Dave Sanderson do a huge amount to help youngsters on their angling journey, and recently delivered a fantastic day’s sea-fishing for pupils from Easington Lane Primary School following the Reel Education in-school sessions.

The event was supported by Sea Angling Engagement Officer, Peter Morgan and Reel Education Manager for the north, Chris Holden. The fishing was tough, but the children absolutely loved it and will be back for more! The angling sessions were funded from the Social Isolation Fund from the HALO project at Sunderland City Council.

This sort of event sits squarely within the Angling Trust’s “Get Fishing” initiative, which seeks to get more people fishing more often – and for very good reason. The campaign notes:

“Fishing is for everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do or where you live, anyone can get into fishing and enjoy its health and wellbeing benefits.” 

In the case of the Easington Lane Primary School event, several of those benefits are evident:

New experiences & engagement with nature: The children got to take part in sea-fishing, likely for many of them a novel outdoor activity and chance to engage with the coastline and marine environment.

Social connection & inclusion: The event is helping youngsters from the school in a group setting, supported by experienced coaches (Carole, Dave, Peter, Chris) – matching the Get Fishing aim of providing “beginner-friendly sessions … for all ages and abilities.”

Well-being & youth development: Especially when delivered through programmes like Reel Education in-schools then followed by a “have-a-go” day, the experience helps build confidence, interest and new skills.

The day out with the Angling Trust’s sea-fishing team fits within a wider “Get Fishing” framework promoting angling as a means of boosting wellbeing, strengthening social bonds, and enabling young people to explore new challenges. The campaign emphasises that fishing isn’t just about the catch – it’s an opportunity to get outdoors, build friendships, try something new, and experience significant mental-health and developmental benefits. With support from experienced coaches and a fully-equipped beginner-friendly setting, these sessions help ensure that everyone – whatever their background – can feel welcome, supported and excited to take that first cast!

About Get Fishing

If you would like to get into fishing click here and come along to one of the beginner events listed on this website – everyone is welcome and even if you have never picked up a fishing rod before, or haven’t been fishing since you were younger, we’ll make you welcome and help you discover the wonderful world of angling, in an all-inclusive, friendly and low-presuure environment. 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 to use on the day, by the event organiser.

The Get Fishing campaign, run by the Angling Trust and funded by the Environment Agency and Sport England, aims to make fishing accessible to everyone. Each year, hundreds of beginner-friendly sessions take place across England – covering coarse, fly and sea fishing – offering free or low-cost tuition and all the equipment needed to get started. The campaign also supports a Get Fishing Awards pathway, guiding new anglers from their first cast to fishing independently, while the Get Fishing for Wellbeing initiative promotes the mental health and social benefits of time spent by the water.

Participants automatically join the Get Fishing Club, gaining access to exclusive resources, newsletters, and a 25% discount on beginner tackle from Angling Direct, the campaign’s exclusive retail partner.

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.