Get Fishing Fund helps iCARP make a lasting impact at Lifted Lakes

iCARP (Investigating Countryside and Angling Research Projects – CIC) has enjoyed a truly transformative year of delivery, working with military veterans, blue light service personnel, pupils at SEMH (social, emotional & mental health) schools, and local residents. With support from the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing Fund, iCCARP have created lasting memories and opened up new opportunities for people to benefit from fishing at Lifted Lakes.

Thanks to this funding, iCARP has been able to improve accessibility, expand the reach of their work, and make full use of the Angling Trust’s licensed coach scheme, increasing the number of trained coaches working with iCARP.

Dr Mark Wheeler commented:

“Support from the Angling Trust Get Fishing Fund has been transformative. It has allowed us to expand our operational capabilities, enrich the experience we provide participants, and strengthen our coaching base with newly trained Angling Trust coaches.”

The Get Fishing Fund, managed by the Angling Trust and backed by the Environment Agency (through rod licence income), plays a crucial role in growing participation in angling and delivering the many physical, social, and mental health benefits the sport offers.

Why iCARP’s work is aligned with Get Fishing’s mission

Health & social inclusion: By working with veterans, blue light personnel, and pupils in SEMH schools, iCARP directly supports some of the communities that benefit most from angling’s mental health, social, and wellbeing advantages.

Long-term impact: Through coaching, repeated sessions, and structured engagement, iCARP is not just introducing people to fishing, but helping them build enduring skills and connections – exactly what the Get Fishing Fund is designed to support.

Sustainable model: By using funding to develop infrastructure, train coaches, and increase capacity, iCARP is building a model that could continue beyond a single grant cycle – helping more people fish, more often.

As iCARP – and other funded organisations – demonstrate, the Get Fishing Fund is much more than a grant scheme: it’s a catalyst for wellbeing, community, and lifelong engagement with nature through angling.

Events like these 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.