Derby Youth Justice Service casts positive pathways with Get Fishing programme

Derby Youth Justice Service have taken to fishing this year with Get Fishing Funding to help sculpt positive opportunities for young people who may be at risk of offending or have offended in the past.

For many of these young people it was their first experience of fishing – and the positive transformation in participants’ behaviour has been abundantly evident. Derby Youth Justice Service are hopeful that their sustainable programme will continue to have a positive impact on young people in the future.

What this means for Derby Youth Justice Service’s programme

The decision by Derby Youth Justice Service to invest Get Fishing Funding feels particularly well grounded. For many participants, the programme is not just a fun diversion – it’s an opportunity for personal growth, stability, and positive routine.

By offering fishing as an inclusive, supportive activity – likely with all necessary gear provided – Derby’s scheme lowers the barrier to entry, enabling even those with no prior interest or experience to try something new. The peaceful, nature-based setting helps reduce stress, encourages mindfulness, and fosters social connection.

Over time, that could translate into improved mental wellbeing, better self-esteem, and a stronger sense of belonging – exactly the kind of outcomes that youth justice services hope to foster when supporting young people at risk.

About Get Fishing

If you would like to get into fishing at an event near you, 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.

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.