Get Fishing Gathering, held at Passies Pond, gives many young and newcomer anglers the chance to catch some amazing big carp and colourful perch!

Each year, the Angling Trust South East Region works with hundreds of Events Delivery Partners – including coaches, fisheries and volunteers, as well as charities, schools and community groups – all united in promoting the health, wellbeing and educational benefits of angling to a fresh audience of beginner and novice anglers.

One highlight of the Get Fishing calendar was the recent Get Fishing Gathering, held at Passies Pond in Lancing, Sussex. Over 80 people attended this bespoke event, managed by Ben Harragan and the team at the Angling & Mental Health Initiative CIC, with support from Different Angle (the Angling Trust’s Building Bridges Project), Hadlow College, Angling Mentors, and many local coaches and enthusiastic volunteers.

During the day, free coaching sessions enabled many young and newcomer anglers to try their hand at catching some impressive carp and colourful perch, all while being supported and encouraged in a relaxed, inclusive environment. Events like this one are listed on the Angling Trust’s Event Marketplace.

Why the Get Fishing Gathering at Passies Pond was especially valuable

Safe, supportive space: For many new or young anglers, the coaching and volunteer support offered a welcoming, non-intimidating introduction to fishing.

Wellbeing in action: As people cast lines and chat, the event naturally encouraged relaxation, mindfulness, and social bonding – all core to what the Get Fishing for Wellbeing project promotes.

Skill-building: Attendees weren’t just watching – they were learning to fish, gaining confidence in handling rods, bait, and catching fish. These small wins build self-efficacy.

Partnerships: The gathering itself is a perfect example of how the Angling Trust’s regional teams, community organisations, mental health initiatives (like Angling & Mental Health Initiative CIC), and educational institutions (such as Hadlow College) can come together to deliver both sport and social impact.

The Get Fishing Gathering at Passies Pond in Lancing is more than just an angling event — it’s a practical expression of the many ways fishing supports wellbeing, community, and personal growth. Through projects like this, the Angling Trust continues to demonstrate how angling can be a powerful, inclusive tool for improving mental health, connecting people, and encouraging a lifelong engagement with nature.

Events are added to our website daily and social media all the time so, please check our Get Fishing events diary for new events near to you by clicking this link.

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.