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Mending Lines free fishing sessions mark first eight months of success in supporting young people’s mental health and preventing anti-social behaviour




A volunteer-led initiative is putting mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of support for young people, through angling.

Mending Lines was established in April last year by keen angler Chris Parker, who wanted to share the benefits of fishing with young people, particularly those who are not in mainstream education or who have been in trouble with the police, and it has already supported over 200 people.

The organisation works with many who have ADHD or Autism, or other behavioural concerns, and through fishing sessions provides a safe space to relax, learn, make new friends, and develop a productive and fulfilling hobby.

Chris Parker, founder of Mending Lines.
Chris Parker, founder of Mending Lines.

Chris said: “We make it a good happy atmosphere, lots of high fives, lots of praise. It’s all about making memories and the kids going home happy.

“Half the time they don’t want to leave. It’s like a family, it really is. It’s brilliant.”

He first came up with the idea after he medically retired from his engineering career in 2016, following which he struggled with his own mental health due to being out of work and dealing with chronic pain.

He returned to fishing — something which had been a hobby for many years — to help with his own wellbeing, before realising it could also be used to help others.

“I found it really helped me,” Chris, who is a member of Grove Angling Club, added.

Chris, Oscar, Logan, and Lucas, of Mending Lines, with representatives of Newark Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Environment Agency, Balderton Parish Council, and Grove Angling Club at the restocking of Balderton Lake.
Chris, Oscar, Logan, and Lucas, of Mending Lines, with representatives of Newark Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Environment Agency, Balderton Parish Council, and Grove Angling Club at the restocking of Balderton Lake.

“Kids would come up saying “have you caught ‘owt?”, and one day a man sat next to me who opened up about his depression and we had a discussion. It got me thinking.”

After a meeting in October 2023 with Balderton Parish Council, police officers, and Nottinghamshire County Council’s neighbourhood coordinator Rob Byrant, and speaking with the Angling Trust, Chris was able to secure the necessary permissions, qualifications, and support to launch the project in the spring as a level two Angling Trust coach, with Mending Lines as a non-profit organisation.

Grants of £2,500 from the Angling Trust, £5,000 from Newark and Sherwood District Council, £1,000 from Safer Streets, £1,000 from Newark Youth Trust, £250 from Debbie Darby, and £60 from Soup Kitchen, as well as an anonymous donor’s £50-a-month donations, were also instrumental in bringing Chris’ idea to reality.

It is also supported by Aquastim, which provides bait, and Daiwa UK, for discount fishing equipment, and is delivered by three volunteers alongside Chris — Andy Garner, Paul Revitt, and Sam Lewis — and secretary Lewis Parker.

Mending Lines initially launched at Balderton Lake, but as the lake is notoriously difficult to fish, has since moved to Willow Lakes at Foston where the fishing is more fruitful, to help attendees get more out of the sessions.

“It’s about keeping the kids happy. They catch more there,” Chris added.

Logan Darby.
Logan Darby.

Sessions run for two hours, with all equipment provided, and attendees can also work towards Angling Trust awards.

Among those who regularly attend is Logan Darby, whose mum, Debbie Darby, said: “Our son Logan has Autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, and anxiety. Recently he has lost his grandma, our dog and also our cat. He was bullied at school, and his needs weren’t met at school so I took the plunge to home educate him.

“He picked up fishing the previous August and really liked it, and in June last year we saw an advert for Mending Lines. Chris now takes Logan fishing and they have really made a good bond, they fish and chat and laugh and tell awful jokes to each other but he has really has found something he loves which has helped him so much.

“The happiness in his face is priceless. Its really helped his anxiety, so despite losing his grandma and two pets, it really broke his heart, but being in a better place in himself has helped him to cope and that’s thanks to Chris and his fishing sessions. We cannot thank Chris enough.”

Oscar Asher.
Oscar Asher.
Lucas Tebb.
Lucas Tebb.

Recently, Logan attended a fishing match in Sheffield where he came second out of a large field of competitors.

Chris added: “To see him collect his prizes in front of 70 other kids applauding him was the best thing ever.”

For other regular attendees it has helped regulate their behaviour and reduce anger issues, and some who were previously in regular trouble with the police have had no incidents since joining.

Volunteer Andy Garner added: “Its a positive, different outlook on the children.

“We get as much out of it as they do, and it gets them off their XBoxes and out into the fresh air. It’s about building confidence as well.”

The small-group sessions, generally run with a one-to-one ratio of attendees and volunteers, also focus on education about respect for the environment, as well as life skills, and some maths with the measuring of bait and the like.

Oscar, Logan and Lucas watch the delivery of fish at Balderton Lake.
Oscar, Logan and Lucas watch the delivery of fish at Balderton Lake.

Families can attend sessions together, and they are open to anyone who would like to try their hand at fishing — those interested can contact Chris through the Mending Lines Facebook page — and referrals also come from the Newark Neighbourhood Policing Team, with who the organisation has a close working relationship.

In partnership with the police, Grove Angling Club, and Balderton Parish Council, which owns the lake, a focus going forward in the new year, when the weather improves again for fishing, will be on tackling anti-social behaviour around Balderton Lake, by helping more young people learn to fish safely and get correct licences and membership to use the lake.

This will include some sessions being hosted at the lake, as well as Chris supporting some of his more experienced existing attendees to get their own memberships for the lake so they can fish legally outside of the Mending Lines sessions.

A hamper raffle, hosted on the group’s Facebook page, was also held to support them with the membership fees, with half raised to go towards the fees and half to the Children’s Bereavement Centre.

“It’s all about getting them there in a safe environment, we’re going to teach them how to fish correctly so onlookers won’t need to call the police,” Chris added.

“Sometimes the kids have got all of the stuff, but they’re not supposed to be there. We want to help them get their ticket.

“If one kid doesn’t get into trouble anymore, how much will be saved in the long run?”

Chris, Oscar, Logan, and Lucas, of Mending Lines, assist with the restocking of the lake.
Chris, Oscar, Logan, and Lucas, of Mending Lines, assist with the restocking of the lake.
Paul Taylor presenting Chris Parker, chairman of Mending Lines with funding. Malcolm Ellison from the Youth Trust and some of the young people part of the project are also pictured. Photo: Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Paul Taylor presenting Chris Parker, chairman of Mending Lines with funding. Malcolm Ellison from the Youth Trust and some of the young people part of the project are also pictured. Photo: Newark and Sherwood District Council.

John Fisher, chairman of the Grove Angling Club said: “It’s getting them out of their bedrooms and into the fresh air. These young people are the future of the club.

“I am backing Chris 100%, it is a great thing he is doing. Get them educated and get them angling properly.”

Some Mending Lines regulars also attended the restocking of the lake in November, by the Environment Agency, to lend a hand to the delivery of over 2,000 fish which will aim to bolster populations ready for the next season.

PCSO Katie Hewerdine, who covers the Balderton area as part of the neighbourhood policing team, added: “Newark Neighbourhood Policing Team have been looking at the potential for a fishing initiative based at Balderton Lake for almost two years as part of our long-term, problem solving approach to anti-social behaviour in the area.

“We are now delighted to be working with Chris and Mending Lines.

“We know that many young people are interested in angling but, unfortunately, are not aware that there are certain obligations they must fulfil to be able to use Balderton Lake for this popular past-time.

“We hope that in partnership with Mending Lines and the support of Grove Angling Club — who own the fishing rights to Balderton Lake — we can encourage young people to join the club, receive priceless advice from Chris and use their leisure time in a more constructive way rather than engage in activities which could be perceived by some to be anti-social behaviour.

“Chris is already working with a number of young people from the Newark area introducing them to the joys of angling and the many benefits it brings. Seeing some of them being involved in the restocking of the lake with fish supplied by the Environment Agency has been truly heartwarming.”

Mending Lines sessions are free for Newark and Sherwood residents, and those from other districts are welcome for a small fee. It is aimed at those six and older, and the organisation is now also looking to work with schools to offer sessions.

Chris is also working to begin offering the sessions as an education provider, rather than as a volunteer.



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