Angling to Inspire & Uplift

The West Sussex & Surrey Angling Academy offer engaging and interactive educational programmes around the sport of angling – supporting people at risk of exclusion from education or society 

The mission of the West Sussex & Surrey Angling Academy is to harness the power of angling to inspire, uplift and give the opportunity for individuals to grow both personally and socially, in a supportive and engaging environment. By offering angling experiences that encourage and deliver meaningful life skills through vocational practical courses that improve wellbeing, motivation, confidence and self-esteem. 

The Academy believes that angling is vastly under-utilised as a vehiclefor engagement and learning – for all ages, and their aim is to develop opportunities that are fully inclusive and available to all. Both individual and group angling sessions are offered, including taster sessions, beginner’s courses and fishing days for children, adults, elderly, disabled, NHS / Frontline workers and ex-offenders. 

The charity works with schools across Sussex and Surrey and offer Angling  Trust (NGB) Cast courses (Levels 1-6) for 1 day a week over the 36-week school year. The courses can help students stay in education, give ex- offenders a purpose, while rebuilding and improving self-esteem to help achieve their full potential. The Academy has a 98% success rate in keeping young/ adult people in education, further education and into employment. 

The courses run by the Academy are designed to be fun and empower students with life skills and a knowledge of the environment, water cycles, weather systems, power to weight ratio, pollution and conservation. In addition, there are the health benefits of fishing such as improved mental health, general wellbeing, and personal development. They also work with care providers offering tailored angling sessions for the elderly and disabled to promote wellbeing and confidence in a relaxed and natural setting. 

The West Sussex & Surrey Angling Academy are currently fundraisingto replace the Academy’s condemned minibus to enable them to take students to additional venues to enhance their knowledge and confidence.

For more information visit: www.wsangling.com 

Health Benefits Of Angling 

1. Benefits to your heart 

Walking to your favourite fishing spot can increase your heart rate

Deep sea, inshore, beach and pier fishing give a strenuous workout when reeling in 

Coarse and sea fishing methods keep your body in motion 

2. Benefits to your brain 

‘Unplugging’ from daily stress allowing the brain to recharge

Time spent in nature or wooded areas can help lower pulse rates, blood pressure and cortisol rates 

3. Benefits to your body 

Dexterity of baiting, reeling etc, help keep fingers, shoulders and arms flexible and activates muscles 

Fresh air with high oxygen and low pollution is good for the body, especially the lungs 

Spending time in the sun raises levels of vitamin D 

4. Active Kids 

With so much time spent in front of electronic screens, being out in open areas helps improve long distance vision and lowers the chance of near sightedness 

Exposure to natural settings have shown results in reducing ADHD symptoms.

Vitamin D from sunlight helps protect children from potential bone problems, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues