AFTC
Angle for the Community fishing session
Angle for the Community

Fishing for Mental Health
& Wellbeing

We believe the waterside is one of the most powerful places for recovery, connection, and calm. Come and find out why.

Discover the Benefits Upcoming Events

Angle for the Community is a Community Interest Company (CIC), founded in 2022, with the aim of using fishing as a positive activity to help those who are suffering from stress, anxiety and depression as well as associated mental health issues and social exclusion.

We have a passion for getting more people — young and old, all backgrounds — into fishing, and in doing so, educating them in environmental conservation, wildlife, and using the outdoors as a tool for mindfulness and wellbeing.

Ken Reader & Dave Taylor Co-founders, Angle for the Community Meet the Team →
Our Mission

Fishing and Mental Health

Research consistently shows that time spent near water lowers stress hormones, reduces anxiety, and lifts mood. Add the focus and rhythm of angling — the cast, the wait, the quiet — and you have one of nature's most effective forms of therapy.

We provide qualified, DBS-checked fishing coaches to those who need them, and believe that fishing can provide unique benefits to anyone who tries it — from veterans to those managing addiction, and everyone in between.

Read About the Benefits
Fishing and mental health — peaceful waterside session
Junior fishing school session
Junior Programme

Fishing Schools for Juniors

Angle for the Community is dedicated to running free and paid-for junior angling sessions and courses for young people — teaching them not only how to fish, but patience, focus, teamwork, and a love of the natural world.

Through supervised sessions, young anglers gain skills they'll carry for life: reading water, fish handling, baiting, casting technique, and above all, respect for the environment they fish in.

See Upcoming Sessions
About Us

About Us

Angle for the Community is a Community Interest Company founded by Ken Reader and Dave Taylor — two passionate anglers who believe in the power of fishing to change lives. Based in Lincolnshire, we run community sessions, junior schools, and wellbeing events throughout the year.

Meet Ken & Dave
Angle for the Community — community benefits showcase
The Science of Stillness

10 Ways Angling Benefits Your Mind

Backed by research and felt by thousands — the benefits of time at the water run far deeper than the catch.

1
🌿

Serenity in Nature

Natural waterside settings lower stress hormones and give the nervous system room to breathe.

2
🧘

Mindfulness in Action

Fishing demands total presence. No app required — just you, the water, and the moment.

3
💆

Stress Reduction

Repetitive casting motions measurably reduce cortisol levels and resting heart rate.

4
🤝

Social Connectivity

Shared hours beside the water build real friendships and quietly fight the loneliness epidemic.

5
🎯

Goal Achievement

Every catch is a small victory. Those victories add up to confidence and self-belief.

6
☀️

Vitamin D & Sunshine

Regular time outdoors naturally boosts mood-regulating vitamin D levels.

7
🧠

Cognitive Stimulation

Reading the water, choosing tackle, understanding fish behaviour — angling keeps the mind sharp.

8
💚

Emotional Outlet

The waterside is a safe space for whatever you're carrying — without judgment or rush.

9
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Coping Mechanism

For those managing addiction or difficult transitions, angling's structured calm offers a genuine anchor.

10
🌍

Environmental Appreciation

Anglers become passionate advocates for the natural world they've come to love and depend on.

See the Wellbeing Mind Map
Our Supporters

Partners & Sponsors

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Ready to Cast Your First Line?

Whether you're recovering, reconnecting, or just curious — there's a place for you on the bank. Come and see what angling can do for your wellbeing.

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Reeling in the Benefits of Fishing for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

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About Us

Angle for the Community is a Community Interest Company (CIC) established in 2022, providing angling as a therapeutic outdoor activity for mental health and wellbeing.

Angling Trust Member No. AFF29

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