A Cardiff fishing club has cast out a line to the local community by providing a free organised fishing trip.
Fairwater and Pentrebane Community Angling Club has been working in partnership with Cardiff Council’s Leisure Services, Ely Garden Villagers and drug and alcohol charity Kaleidoscope.
The club was established two years ago by Gary Smith, an employee of Fairwater Leisure Centre. Since then, organisers plan several fishing trips throughout the year to Sevenoaks Fishery, Pontyclun.
During the trips people are taught how to catch fish such as carp and bream as well as learning the skills to look after the fish properly and put them back into the water safely.
The initiative aims to bring communities together whilst providing recovering addicts with support and imaginative opportunities so they may build self-confidence.
The 60 member strong club was established two years ago and also attracts families and young people from the local areas.
The initiative is funded by Communities First and through sponsorship and fundraising,
Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman said: “The community angling club offers invaluable opportunities to learn the skills needed to enjoy this wonderful outdoor activity.
“The partnership between the club, Ely Garden Villagers, Communities First and Kaleidoscope has meant that this hobby can be made more accessible to individuals who will benefit from it as well as engaging other members of the community.”
Kaleidoscope aims to provide life enhancing services to people on the margins of society. They provide support to people with drug and alcohol problems, enabling them to make positive changes in their lives.
Communities First is the Welsh Assembly Government’s flagship programme to improve the living conditions and prospects for people in the most disadvantaged communities across Wales.
For more information about Kaleidoscope please visit www.kaleidoscopeproject.org.uk
