Fishing prescribed on the NHS!
Angling is set to be prescribed by doctors on the NHS to help combat mental health problems.
Fishing will be prescribed to combat mental health problems
This significant endorsement of the sport’s life-changing qualities will begin with a trial scheme in the South West.
Under the pilot, which will begin referring patients this summer, GPs at seven surgeries in the Somer Valley, Somerset, will prescribe fishing to those with conditions such as depression and anxiety. Angling is one outdoor activity seen as part of the ‘green prescribing’ solution, which links countryside pursuits with restorative effects.
At least one large local angling club has agreed to provide access to fishing kit and venues for the scheme, Angling Times understands, although more are expected to follow suit as it gathers momentum.
People will be able to be prescribed angling by their GP as one of a number of activities to improve mental health
Angling’s advantage
Dom Garnett, who has been part of the planning process with the Angling Trust, told us:
“People will be able to be prescribed angling by their GP as one of a number of activities to improve mental health.
“Our sport has an advantage over some of the other activities labelled as ‘green space’ or ‘blue space’ therapy because it can be sociable or, for those with anxiety when around groups, it can be a solitary pursuit.
“If we get some good case studies from this pilot then we can get the message out there that angling is really good for you. I see no reason why this can’t go nationwide, which would be brilliant for angling.”
“I see no reason why this can’t go nationwide, which would be brilliant for angling”
The scheme’s backers
The trial in Somerset is backed by a partnership between Natural England, Wessex Water, the University of Bath, Bath and North East Somerset Council and the local NHS. It has been funded by Wessex Water, Defra and Natural England and is expected to run for three years, but may be extended to five if funding can be secured.
Wessex Water has backed the scheme because it’s keen to reduce the use of anti-depressants in the Somer Valley. These find their way into the sewage system and are costly to remove. The utility company has said that it will monitor water quality during the scheme and the University of Bath will track the project’s effectiveness by surveying GPs. Water companies elsewhere are also likely to monitor the impact of the trial with a view to duplicating it.
The trial is expected to run for three years
Fishing as a force for good
Organisations such as iCARP have demonstrated angling’s ability to help servicemen and women suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues, but this NHS-backed scheme adds further endorsement and boosts the sport’s flourishing public image. When lobbying for a safe return to the banks after last year’s initial lockdown, the Angling Trust’s When We Fish Again proposal quoted Dr Paul Stolk as saying:
“It is evident that participation in angling can have a positive effect on personal health and wellbeing, most notably as a means by which an individual can escape or recover from stress, trouble or illness.”
Dom Garnett added:
“We know the therapeutic value of angling and more case studies will only help us grow and reach more people. This will help take it from the anecdotal to the real world, proving it works. It’s great for mental health generally, with fewer people needing expensive therapy and popping pills.”
“We know the therapeutic value of angling”
A step in the right direction
Commenting on the scope of the pilot scheme, Dom said:
“It’s not a silver bullet – it won’t be for people with really serious mental health issues and it’s not going to be perhaps the only answer or definitive answer, but it could help a lot of people.
“There will be a lot of people who haven’t processed what they’re going through and will still carry the scars and anxiety of lockdown once we emerge from it, and I believe fishing could be of huge benefit.
“Angling is more visible than ever. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if it was seen as part of the solution as we return to normality?”
Jane Wright, a senior adviser at Natural England said:
“I’m pleased to be overseeing this fantastic project, working with partners to embed the use of green prescribing to improve mental health and wellbeing.
“This year has shown how essential nature is to our wellbeing. Angling offers a great opportunity for people to connect with nature and enjoy a sport that’s healthy and fun. The health and wellbeing benefits of fishing are well-known and we hope to see a positive impact on the community and those who need additional support.”
Angling offers a great opportunity for people to connect with nature and enjoy a sport that’s healthy and fun
WIN a dream trip to Wilson's Thailand fishery!
ANGLERS are being given the chance to win a dream fishing holiday at John Wilson’s Thailand resort thanks to the launch of an online fundraiser.
Anglers have the chance to win a dream fishing holiday at John Wilson’s Thailand resort
One lucky winner and a friend will be entitled to a seven-day exclusive booking at the Bung Sawan estate, eight nights’ accommodation in a local hotel, free airport transfers and £2,000 cash to spend during the stay.
The fantastic prize has been offered by Gillhams Holidays UK Ltd in a bid to raise vital funds for the John Wilson Fishing Enterprise (JWFE) – a social care initiative which uses fishing to help improve the mental health of kids and young adults.
The prize has been offered in a bid to raise funds for the John Wilson Fishing Enterprise
John’s daughter Lisa, who’s a highly qualified social worker and founder of the enterprise, said:
“Covid-19 was a real setback for the JWFE in 2020 as it just wasn’t possible to get large groups of people out on the bank.
“When restrictions are eased during the spring and summer, the cash generated from this fundraiser will help our staff of licensed fishing coaches to make up for lost time and start making a significant difference to the lives of people suffering with poor mental health.”
Tickets for the fundraiser cost £7.99 each and can be purchased from the competitions section at www.gillhamsholidays.co.uk
You could enjoy catching fish from Wilson’s lake!
Call for kit donations to tackle mental health
THE FOUNDER of a newly-formed social club is appealing to the angling community for tackle donations in a drive to bring fishing to people struggling with poor mental health.
Tackling Minds is the brainchild of lifelong angler Dave Lyons, who’s started running free fishing sessions at Hollingworth Lake in Lancashire to provide incentives for those suffering from loneliness, addiction and homelessness.
He said:
“Having previously suffered with poor mental health I know exactly what people are going through, especially at a time like this, so I created Tackling Minds.
“Our aim is to gather enough fishing tackle to run a regular group and teach the wider community how influential fishing can be in life progression.”
Alongside his call-out for tackle, Dave is looking to expand on his team of volunteers and coaches. To donate your old and disused tackle or to volunteer your services, email your interest to Dave at fishing@tacklingminds.org.
Donated tackle will help teach those struggling with mental health to go fishing
Survey highlights benefits of angling to mental health
AS ANGLERS, we all know the difference that a good day’s fishing can have on our wellbeing, and now the director of a leading charity has become the latest to highlight the sport’s positive impact on mental health.
Dr Anthony Kousoulis, Director of the Mental Health Foundation, extolled the feelgood factor of fishing following a survey by the Angling Trust, in which 99 per cent of respondents stated that angling benefits their overall physical and emotional wellbeing.
Angling benefits overall physical and emotional wellbeing.
He said:
“Growing evidence suggests that spending time in ‘green’ and ‘blue’ spaces has a very positive effect on our mental health.
“It is important for people’s health that they can continue to pursue angling in a safe way both during and after the pandemic.”
With over 100,000 new people fishing since the end of lockdown, it seems that angling’s therapeutic benefits are appreciated more than ever!
Mental Health Foundation
It's important we hold on to our dreams - Des Taylor
PEOPLE are constantly asking me what I’m doing with my time, now that I can’t go fishing.
Well, throughout this shutdown I’ve been feeling positive and doing positive things. Already I have rebooked my two cancelled trips – one to Holland after monster perch and the other a week in Texas after giant alligator garfish. Having something like that to look forward to with my mates really raises the spirits.
My wife Maggie, in turn, has rebooked a cancelled golfing trip with the girls to Portugal. When she’s away I always book a week’s fishing from my bivvy somewhere in the UK, so happy days for us both.
I think it’s important that we start planning for the future and hold on to our dreams. If one thing has come out of this shutdown it’s been a chance to look in the mirror and perhaps resolve to change something in our lives.
I hope that all you anglers who have been watching DVDs, downloads and YouTube, or reading books about fishing, will take some of this on board and not just return to sitting around a commercial two days a week.
Isn’t that what you have been doing for the past 10 years, and aren’t you getting a little bored with it?
The lockdown has certainly made me think about some of my friends that I haven’t been on the bank with for years – good friends and good company, but perhaps, in my eagerness to catch big fish on my own, I haven’t made the time for them that they deserve. That must change, because friends are more important than fish.
On the subject of angling films, it gave me a lift when my son-in-law sent me a photo of my granddaughter watching my own films that I released only a couple of weeks ago. I feel happy that in years to come she will be able to share some of the great memories fishing have given me with her friends and, later, maybe her husband, children and even her grandchildren. I like that.
Right now I’m busy getting my thousands of angling photographs into some kind of order, something I’ve been meaning to do for years. They are bringing me so much joy and highlighting so many things that I take for granted in this great sport of ours. Of course, there are the trophy photos of big fish, but the ones that bring the most smiles to my face are the dawn shots, the sun going down, the wildlife seen while I’m fishing and photos of new friends made in other parts of the country or indeed the world.
So many good times – and remember, there are so many still to come, so stay cheerful.
This is why it’s important to stay positive, fishing will be back soon.
Angling plays a major role in mental wellbeing - Rob Hughes
A few years ago the Government realised that one of the key ways that it could reduce stress on the NHS was to get people fitter.
A directive came down from those at the top saying that we needed to improve the public’s health, and a lot of money was spent promoting an active lifestyle. The phrase ‘couch potato’ was bandied around and the Government started to promote the benefits of fitness through advertising. Fast forward to today and it’s recognised that mental health and stress-related illness are major factors affecting people’s lives. They are also among the biggest killers in the UK, the biggest burdens on the NHS, and a considerable drain on industry as a whole due to people taking time off work to deal with their problems.
The term ‘health and fitness’ has been superseded by ‘health and wellbeing’, and this is where angling has a major role to play. Speak to most anglers and the main reason they go fishing in the first place is to chill out. It’s been proven time and again that angling is great for treating people suffering from debilitating and dangerous mental illnesses. Whether it’s helping cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in our ex-forces personnel or kids finding their journey into adulthood too challenging – angling has an awful lot to offer. Carp After Combat, Second Chance, Let’s Fish, Get Hooked on Fishing, and the John Wilson Fishing Enterprise are all worthy causes that should be proud of what they, and fishing as a whole, put back into society.
