GET HOOKED ON FISHING 

Get Hooked on Fishing was registered as a charitable trust in The Charity Register on 4 February 2004, Register Number 1101901.

Aims of the Trust

"Provide or assist in the provision of facilities for all aspects of Angling for the benefit of those who by reason of their youth, poverty or social or economic circumstances have a need of such facilities, with the object of improving the condition of life of the users and as a means of reducing the incidence of crime and anti social behaviour"

Background

Get Hooked on Fishing was established in 2000 as a Durham based Project to engage young people at risk of exclusion. At that time it had the unique advantage of using the activity of angling to combat forms of social exclusion amongst young people.

Delivered through Durham Agency against Crime (DAAC), a partnership between the Durham Constabulary and the local business community and was aimed at juveniles who have been identified by local agencies ie Police, Youth Offending Team, and School as being at risk from crime.

The scheme was run by Mick Watson , the PC who had fostered the original idea and in addition too simply engaging and diverting young people from anti-social activity, individuals began to emerge who had the ability to coach others.

The scheme has now been replicated in various forms. It is now poised to roll-out more formally across the UK.

Most Youth Service professionals who have encountered the Get Hooked on Fishing scheme have sensed something special about the project. There is an apparent synergy of vision, commitment, process and tangible outcomes. ( Home Office - Positive Futures)