Blog: 'Angling gives me a break from other worries and concerns'
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year.
In 2016 we’ll be taking a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting and fitness opportunities available to disabled people. This first blog of the year is A for Angling, featuring keen fisherman Perry Davis from Derbyshire.
Perry’s blog:
I’m currently a resident with Mental Healthcare Services at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. As well as my engagement in therapeutic activities, I identified angling as something I would like to do, both at this stage of my life and post-discharge.
The Angling 4 Health programme in Derbyshire is run by Andrew Holbrook, a Healthcare Assistant who works at the unit where I’m currently based.
Andrew is a qualified and licensed level two angling coach, who also works with the Angling Trust. He provides structured tuitions in coarse fishing on the waters of a local angling club, for service users of the NHS Trust.
All the bait and equipment is provided and transport to the waters and back. This is of great benefit, as this gives the opportunity for people to go fishing on local waters with an experienced coarse fishermen and angling coach without any initial cost.
What a great way for newcomers to be introduced to angling or, like me, improve and refresh skills.
"I was a bit rusty"
On my first trip with Andy I was taken to the River Derwent in south Derbyshire. I was keen to get back into fishing as I had fished before with friends, so had some prior knowledge of the skills and techniques of the sport.
But I was a bit rusty and had not done it for almost three years. Still, I was looking forward to going out on the river with an experienced coarse angler.
I had some previous experience, although I was a little out of practice for casting accurately and was supported by Andy.
It was a little frustrating trying to get the bait under the overhanging tree on the far bank but with persistence and guidance from I managed a successful cast after several attempts.
And you know what? I caught my biggest fish to date, a 10lb+ barbel. My catch was photographed and published in the Angling Times!
Next, I’m going pike fishing with Andy – hopefully I’ll catch my first big pike! Fingers crossed!
"It gives me time to recharge my batteries"
Angling helps me feel relaxed and chilled out, and it’s nice to be away from the Unit in a different environment. I find when I’m fishing I just think about the fish, and this gives me a break from other worries and concerns.
When I’m fishing it gives me time to recharge my batteries, and when I return to the Unit I feel like I have had a meaningful day with a sense of achievement and fulfilment.
I’m looking forward to the further sessions with Andy, and I hope to continue angling after my discharge.
There is the opportunity for people to maintain engagement with the programme after discharge and return, offering peer support to people like me. This will be a good opportunity to meet and make friends and be evolved in a meaningful activity.
Hopefully, soon I’ll be helping others to catch their first big fish!
The Angling Trust is the new, single organisation to represent all game, coarse and sea anglers and angling in England. For more information visit their website or call 0844 7700 616.
