Derbyshire fishing therapy could be extended

Nurses said fishing combined relaxation with the chance to socialise

A scheme in which mental heath patients are taken fishing as part of their treatment could be expanded nationally.

Derbyshire's Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has partnered up with the Angling Trust and the Earl of Harrington's Angling Club.

Nurses said fishing was open to all abilities and encouraged socialising in a relaxed environment.

The Angling Trust is now encouraging its coaches across the country to set up similar schemes.

Relaxing benefits

Keen angler and mental health nurse Andy Holbrook started the Fishing 4 Health project several years ago.

He said: "One of the great problems with mental health is isolation, which had been shown to be very detrimental to recovery.

"Angling allows all abilities and ages to get out into a social situation, meet other people and develop skills.

"The feedback is that it is very relaxing and people feel the benefit."

Chris Glover, a 27 year-old patient, said: "As well as being relaxing, it is something to do in the future.

"It is good to have something to do with your spare time."

Ben Snook, from the Angling Trust, said: "We really, really hope everyone will see the value of adding a specialism like the mental health coaching to their repertoire."