Relax & Unwind
Step away from everyday pressures and spend time in a calm, structured outdoor environment.
Finding calm, confidence and connection through the gentle rhythm of fishing.
Professional referral required for funded places
Why angling?
More than catching fish
Build Confidence
Learn at your own pace, develop practical skills and enjoy the sense of achievement that fishing can bring.
Connect With Nature
Spend meaningful time outdoors and notice the water, wildlife and changing environment around you.
Support Wellbeing
Create space for positive focus, routine, conversation, reflection and time away from daily pressures.
Learn New Skills
From tackle and casting to fish care and independent fishing skills, there is always something new to learn.
Wellbeing Through Angling
A supportive activity at the water's edge
Wellbeing Through Angling is a Cast and Connect CIC programme that uses freshwater angling and time outdoors as a positive, low-pressure wellbeing activity.
Sessions are shaped around the individual. You can learn, talk, concentrate, relax or simply enjoy being beside the water. There is no pressure to catch lots of fish or reach a particular standard.
You do not need to have fished before. We can provide the equipment and practical support needed to take part.
Our approach
“Fishing is the activity. Wellbeing is the purpose.”
We focus on participation, enjoyment, confidence and progression — not competitive performance.
Calm and supportive
Beginner friendly
1:1 or small groups
Participant-centred
Current opportunities
Funded Wellbeing Through Angling sessions
Current funded offer
Professional referral required for funded places
Five free weekly sessions
Format1:1 or small group sessions, with up to four people fishing independently
Current daysThursdays and Fridays
Current times09:00 – 11:00 · 11:30 – 13:30 · 14:00 – 16:00
Current venueCentury Ponds
Stockwood Vale, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2AW
Stockwood Vale, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2AW
ProvidedFishing equipment and tackle, Bait, Fishery fees, Fishing licences where required, Coaching and support
Eligibility depends on the current funding stream. Most funded places are accessed through social prescribing, with referrals also accepted from approved professional and community partners where appropriate.
How funded places are accessed
The main route into funded Wellbeing Through Angling sessions is social prescribing.
We can also accept referrals from approved professional and community partners where this fits the current programme.
Self-referrals for funded places are not currently open.
Referral information
Access & funding
Free introductions, with routes to continue
Fully Funded
Where grant funding is available, eligible referred participants can receive a free introduction to the programme, normally over five sessions.
Funded spaces are limited and eligibility can vary between funding streams.Subsidised
Where funding, sponsorship or programme income allows, we aim to offer reduced-cost opportunities so cost does not immediately become a barrier to continuing.
Availability depends on the funding in place at the time.Self-Funded
Participants who are able to pay can discuss self-funded coaching as a continuation route, subject to capacity.
This is separate from self-referring for a funded place, which is not currently available.Wellbeing Through Angling has been supported by community and grant funding, including:
Postcode Lottery via Sported
Bristol Masons’ Charity
Angling Trust Get Fishing Fund
Funding allows Cast and Connect CIC to remove or reduce financial barriers for people who may otherwise struggle to access positive outdoor activity.
What happens?
A simple, supportive journey
1
Professional referral
A social prescriber or approved partner completes the referral form with the participant’s knowledge and consent.
2
We make contact
Cast and Connect gets in touch to introduce the programme, discuss practical needs and answer questions.
3
Sessions are arranged
Where a suitable place is available, we agree dates, session format and anything needed to help the participant attend.
4
Start fishing
Sessions are delivered at a comfortable pace, with equipment, coaching and support provided.
5
Plan what comes next
We discuss independent fishing, local clubs or fisheries, subsidised opportunities or self-funded coaching where appropriate.
Questions
Things people often want to know
No. Complete beginners are welcome, as are people who have fished before but would benefit from supported, regular angling.
Not at the moment. Funded Wellbeing Through Angling places currently require a professional referral, with social prescribing being the main referral route.
The majority of referrals should come through social prescribing. Referrals may also be accepted from approved professional and community partner organisations where appropriate to the current funding.
Fishing equipment, tackle, bait, fishery fees and fishing licences where required can be provided. We will let participants know about suitable clothing and any personal items before the first session.
The funded sessions are intended as an introduction rather than an abrupt end point. We can discuss independent fishing, local clubs or fisheries, subsidised sessions and self-funded coaching depending on circumstances and availability.
Please include this in the referral. Some funding streams may allow us to help with transport or explore practical options, but transport support is not guaranteed for every programme.
For social prescribers & professionals
Refer someone to Wellbeing Through Angling
If you support someone who could benefit from a calm, structured outdoor activity, complete the professional referral form and we will contact the participant to discuss the next steps.
Looking for support for yourself? Self-referrals for funded places are not currently open. Please speak to your social prescriber, health professional or another support organisation about whether a referral may be appropriate.