Fishing their way to better mental health - new Bristol wellbeing initiative on city harbourside
A new wellbeing initiative that uses fishing to improve mental health has been launched in Bristol. Angling has become hugely popular since the pandemic, with the Environment Agency reporting 100,000 more fishing licences being sold in 2020.
The Angling Trust has made Bristol Harbourside the flagship South West community fishing hub as part of its We Fish As One campaign.
The scheme has worked with community groups to train up new angling coaches from inner-city and East Bristol areas so that community events at the harbourside can continue sustainably and discover the next generation of anglers. Its a partnership between The Angling Trust, Sirona care & health and The West of England Sport Trust (wesport). The campaign is part-funded by Sport England and the Environment Agency to address barriers to inclusivity in the sport.
Three coaching events have been held at Bristol Harbouside since the summer, with people from Bristol’s Bangladeshi, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani and Somali communities.
The idea for the scheme came from Shahnaz Chowdhury of Sirona care and health’s ‘Health Links’ team.
Shahnaz said: “When visiting Eastville Park during lockdown, I saw people fishing in the lake and the idea sparked from there. We then made contact with several organisations including Fishwish, Alcove Angling Club, and Angling Trust.”
Dean Asplin, Angling Development Manager South with the Angling Trust said: “It’s brilliant that Sirona care and health wanted to work with us and gain interest from Bristol communities in fishing. This felt like a real opportunity to open some doors. We had a blast and the sessions were well received."
Lucy Golding from Sirona said: “Some attendees had never been to Bristol Harbour or even outside since the Covid Pandemic. Feedback demonstrated that it really supported wellbeing and I’m so pleased that from these sessions a number of people have now become Level 1 Fishing Coaches.
“This will support the long term sustainability of widening access to fishing and wellbeing.”
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