Interested in providing some support to the Angling Research project?

You can take part and find out more here: http://www.anglingresearch.org.uk/

A major, new research programme on the social and community benefits of angling is running from 2009-2011. The research is being carried out by Substance and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund, entitled: ‘The Social and Community Benefits of Angling’.

The project is to investigate the roles angling can play for those who participate in it, young people and the communities in which it takes place.

Why Is the Research Needed?
Millions of people go fishing, but not much is widely known about the activity in terms of the particular benefits individuals, young people and local communities can get from it.

There have been some big claims made about angling - that it has a range of benefits for participants (including health, volunteering, socialisation); that it can help young people in terms of education and social inclusion; and that it can help develop rural communities and local environments.

Yet the evidence base for this work is under-developed and organisations involved, as well as policymakers, need more research to understand, develop and maximise angling’s profile. Those representing angling need such information to help ‘make the case’ for public and government support.

The project is working closely with angling and community organisations and charities, policymakers and anglers to help address gaps in knowledge and provide evidence of angling’s role to help influence changes in policy as well as highlight best practice.