Forward Assist Angling Academy Hit The High Seas

The return to normal life after nearly two years of Covid-19 influenced restrictions has, for many of our veterans, caused significant anxiety. In response to concerns about loneliness and social isolation we ran our first Veteran Retreat of the year in Kielder Forest at the end of April. All the participants enjoyed being in the great outdoors but it was the camaraderie and quality time spent away with friends and our ‘in house’ therapists that made all the difference. Similarly, the members of the Veterans Angling Academy were keen to make the most of the predicted good weather and catch fish to supplement their food budgets. So, on a bright sunny morning, it was an alpine start for anglers and therapists as they all boarded the JFK Two at North Shield Marina. After seven wonderful hours at sea the team returned with over 150 cod and on the way back to the marina they were given a master class in how to fillet fish by the boat crew. The catch was then divided up between the anglers and everyone went home with plenty of fish and for some newly found sea legs.

‘Thank you so much for today, best thing I have been part of for years . I have had a lovely day and now have something to talk about.’

‘Thank you for taking me fishing, you have been the only constant in my year from hell, and the only thing that has kept me going. Today I forgot for seven hours and just breathed.’