Mark says "It has been a huge credit to Shoreline Housing Partnership for their foresight in seeing that Get Hooked on Fishing would help the young people and families in the community. Shoreline invested a substantial amount of funding which has enabled the project to build an infrastructure, develop new accredited coaches and deliver sessions to over 900 young people in the region. This equates to some 15,000 contact hours with young people and their families.

MAJOR SUCCESSES

The project now employs a total of 18 Coaches.

Has 1 young 16 year old FULL TIME employee.

Homestead Lake Immingham has seen an investment of over £20,000 via support grants and the Environment Agency. GHOF has installed 28 safer fishing platforms, a pond dipping area and has created a wildlife and nature trail featuring 14 Interpretation Educational Boards. Also the car park has been relocated for easier access for visitors and disabled anglers.

Additionally the GHOF Project has enabled Homestead Lake / Immingham Town Council (taxpayers) to make a saving of over £60,000 since the project took over the management of the lake.

Increases in annual membership at the lake has risen by 400%

Visitor numbers have increased with many local schools visiting the site for educational wildlife and biodiversity sessions.

GHOF North East Project is now being used by the Environment Agency and GHOF National as a peer mentor of "best practice" in the UK.

Project has featured editorial in many news publications locally and nationally and project has had front page coverage in the Environment Agencies news magazine.

Has engaged with many local Primary / Secondary Schools / Academies delivering both fishing and biodiversity sessions.

Expanded the projects youth engagement activities to include all 3 fishing disciplines (Coarse, Sea and Game Fishing)

Successfully contributed to the Police / NELC "Operation Python" initiative.

Has developed a joint referral system with the highly successful "Sports Lincs" Project.

Is developing several satellite sites for the delivery of future sessions.