Fishing for Schools is an exciting project from The Foundation. We teach young people the unique skills of fly fishing and offer them a gateway into the natural world. Run by world famous angler Charles Jardine and his dedicated team, the mission is simple – to educate and enhance young lives. The programme offers a short-course for children, often with special educational needs, between the ages of 14 and 16 who often find academic work particularly difficult but respond well to alternative learning. The programme works with courses run by accredited ASDAN, COPE and NOCN schemes giving real qualifications and social value. The ASDAN Award Scheme operates in several thousand schools and other educational centres – it is listed as one of the few major routes for developing and accrediting wider key skills. The course contributes to the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness, which is a GCSE alternative for many children. The results are exceptional – self-esteem, confidence and enjoyment have all been boosted by this programme, and Charles Jardine's post-bag is full of "thank you" letters and pictures (including the picture above).
"Congratulations to The Countryside Alliance Foundation because Fishing for Schools is a brilliant way to help disadvantaged children – it really can make a difference"
Robson Green, actor and presenter of Channel Five's Extreme Fishing.
The Countryside Alliance Foundation is a founding donor of Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland, a unique and wonderful charity which provides an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by breast cancer to gather on retreat in a natural setting and learn the sport of fly fishing. Just as importantly, the retreats offer an opportunity to meet new friends, network, exchange information, and have fun. Weekend retreats incorporate advice, educational services and relaxation techniques. The retreats are delivered by trained facilitators including a psycho-social therapist, a health care professional (e.g. physiotherapist, nurse), as well as qualified fly fishing instructors and fishing guides.
Fishing 4 Schools is on Facebook here
Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland is on Facebook here.