Cast Away Trauma Veterans and Blue Light Workers

• Diagnosed Mental Health Support
• Mental Health General Support
• Wellbeing Centre

Are you a Military Veteran or Blue light worker, are you struggling after experiencing trauma? Or are you supporting someone who is? Would you like to find out about joining an angling initiative for those who have experienced trauma?

This project is open to those living in Norfolk and countrywide. Those attending will receive £50 to cover travel expenses. The trip, food and fishing are all provided free of charge.

Aims of the research:  The ultimate purpose of this research is to test whether angling in a natural, social setting will improve mental health of military veterans and other service personnel (e.g. police, ambulance, fire service, coastguard) with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We are evaluating a new, engaging way to help people with PTSD recover their wellbeing and build their resilience that involves learning to fish while socialising in small groups in a tranquil, rural setting.

The Casting Away Trauma (previously Angling for Good) project being run by the University of Essex and iCARP CIC. The project is funded by NIHR (NHS Research) and its aim is to investigate a nature-based, social activity (angling) as a means of helping military veterans and blue light service personnel dealing with PTSD and other after-effects of trauma exposure.

Participating involves attending a two-day, one-night fishing trip and completing a series of online questionnaires to assess the impact of the fishing trip. The trip, food and the fishing are all provided absolutely free of charge. More information about the project and how to join is available on our website.

If you have any questions about the project, or would like to express an interest, please contact the study team directly on: anglingforgood@essex.ac.uk