iCARP CIC and the Get Fishing Fund – helping change people’s lives

At the Angling Trust, we believe deeply in the power of fishing to change lives. Through the Get Fishing Fund, which is administered by the Angling Trust on behalf of the Environment Agency from rod licence fees, we support organisations across the country to widen access to angling and create meaningful social impact. One organisation that has demonstrated this impact with exceptional clarity is iCARP (Investigating Countryside and Angling Research Projects) CIC. Here’s their story…

Drawing on research from the University of Essex and working closely with NHS Trusts, iCARP uses the restorative benefits of the outdoors and angling to support people living with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Their programmes reach veterans and serving personnel, emergency service staff, young people in SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) schools, and residents who face barriers to outdoor recreation.

With support from the Get Fishing Fund, iCARP has significantly strengthened its operational capabilities. The organisation has been able to purchase additional angling equipment, ensuring that every participant can take part fully, regardless of experience or access to gear. This investment has allowed them to run larger sessions without compromising quality and to welcome complete beginners with confidence.

Improvements to accessibility, including ramps and seating, have made sessions more inclusive for individuals with mobility challenges or anxiety, resulting in increased participation and stronger retention. Enhanced resources have also enabled iCARP to run multiple groups at the same time, such as veterans and SEMH pupils, reducing waiting lists and improving overall efficiency.

The main venue used by iCarp is Lifted Lakes, which has benefited from support from the Environment Agency to improve the fish stocks, habitat and access at the bankside. Rod licence money has been invested to enhance the fishery and make it a safer and enjoyable location for all the visiting anglers.

The funding has also helped iCARP expand its reach across diverse client groups. Veterans now benefit from more frequent sessions, higher‑quality tackle, and support from coaches who understand military culture, helping to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.

Emergency service staff, who often carry the weight of traumatic experiences, have found fishing to be a rare opportunity to decompress in a safe, peer‑supported environment.

Young people in SEMH schools, including those at Compass School in Essex, have shown improved focus, behaviour, and classroom engagement after taking part in structured angling sessions.

For many local residents, community events delivered by iCARP have provided a welcoming, non‑stigmatising route into support, helping to tackle loneliness and poor mental health.

A key element of this growth has been the integration of trained Angling Trust coaches, part-funded with a bursary from the Environment Agency. These coaches bring specialist angling skills, lived experience, and fresh energy to sessions, improving participant support and broadening the techniques available. Their involvement ensures continuity even when core staff are unavailable, and the experience they gain through iCARP contributes to their own confidence and professional development. This creates a positive cycle in which both coaches and participants benefit from shared learning and authentic connection.

Evidence gathered by iCARP highlights the tangible impact of the funding. Among veterans, 83% report reduced feelings of isolation and 76% report improved mood. Teachers working with SEMH pupils have observed measurable improvements in attention and behaviour following angling sessions. Community participants overwhelmingly recommend fishing as a way to improve wellbeing. Individual stories bring these outcomes to life: a pupil who now looks forward to weekly sessions and returns to class calmer; a veteran who describes fishing as the only place he feels normal; and an emergency service worker who found that time by the water gave him his first real breath in months.

The Get Fishing Fund, which is administered by the Angling Trust on behalf of the Environment Agency from rod licence fees, has acted as a catalyst for growth, inclusivity, and innovation at iCARP CIC. By enhancing operational capacity, expanding reach, and supporting the development of new coaches, the fund has enabled iCARP to deliver programmes that do far more than introduce people to fishing. They offer a pathway to improved wellbeing, reduced suffering, and renewed connection with nature and community. This case study demonstrates the profound impact that targeted funding can achieve and reinforces our commitment to ensuring that the benefits of angling are accessible to everyone who can gain from them.

For more information about iCARP visit their website

Click here for more information about the Get Fishing Fund