Angling Mentors founder Shane Davies, teaches design and technology at Jubilee School, which works with pupils with a range of social and emotional conditions. 

In early 2023, in partnership with the Angling Trust, Shane began developing and delivering a range of angling activities, in both the class room, and local fishing locations.

In this first year, all of the primary age students engaged in the Angling Trusts ‘Reel Education’ programme, with many of them going on to have regular pole fishing sessions at a local pond.

As the weather improved that year, more and more pupils wanted to go fishing, so we introduced weekly fly tying and fly casting visits to Meon Springs trout fishery.

The school also joined Portsmouth and district angling club for regular sessions at their Tithe Barn beginners lake.

By easter of 2024 it was becoming difficult to ensure every student who wanted to go fishing, could do so, without impacting on other teaching obligations.

After easter that year, some of my angling friends were asked if they would offer some time, to help with mentoring ?

This was the start of an idea…

A sponsored hike of 100 miles on the South Downs, and a ‘Just Giving’ page were set up to raise enough funds for the first event.