Mental health groups enjoy Fishing for Schools tuition over the summer months

It's easy to think that once the summer holidays roll around it's "feet-up" time for the Fishing for Schools teams, but that's certainly not the case for the F4S Kent group.

For the past two summers this F4S team has shared its passion for and knowledge of fishing with groups of older but equally receptive anglers, from three mental health groups – the Trevor Gibbens Unit in Maidstone, the Charlton Athletic Community Trust and MCCH, which works with adults with learning difficulties and autism.

Throughout July, August and early September, the team – Warren White, Charlie Rayner and Bob Goble – took the budding fishers to two venues – Grove Farm Fishery and Shorne Valley Country Park. Very many thanks to Hadlow College and to Thameside Works Angling & Preservation Society (TWAPS) for the use of their waters.

Warren said: "We are really starting to see the fruits of our labours with these groups and are delighted that the three organisations are willing, along with Bexley Council, to help fund the courses.

"Our main aim was to make the courses fun, enjoyable and informative, but over the weeks working with the groups we have had some wonderful feedback from the staff, telling us how the fishing sessions have helped the students not only to learn more fishing skills but also improved their social skills, self-esteem and confidence, which is good to know."