An award winning project, that uses the sport of angling to help boost the mental health and wellbeing of people across Burnley and Pendle, has won funding to host more sessions.

Mark Smedley set up MS Angling and Education as proof that fishing can be a key factor in helping to improve mental and physical health in people of all ages. In 2024 Mark’s endeavours were rewarded when he triumphed in the health and wellbeing category in the Active Lancashire awards.

£270,000 allocated to improve three playgrounds in Nelson

The cash help, from the Eric Wright Charitable Fund, the NHS Integrated Care Board Funding, and the Burnley Council Community Pride Fund 2026, will support the delivery of fishing therapy and woodcarving, whittling and walking sessions to members of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale community.

Mark Smedley, of award winning project, MS Angling, that uses the sport of angling to help boost the mental health and wellbeing of people across Burnley and Pendle, has won funding to host more sessions.

placeholder image — Mark Smedley, of award winning project, MS Angling, that uses the sport of angling to help boost the mental health and wellbeing of people across Burnley and Pendle, has won funding to host more sessions.

The 'fishing therapy' sessions will take place on a Friday afternoon at MS Angling and Education, Lakeside Cabin, Cornfield Farm Fishery, Cornfield Grove, Burnley. Session times will are 1pm to 3:30pm, meet at 12:45pm. These will start on Friday, September 11.

All participants must be registered/previously referred into the sessions prior to attending and ideally, would attend for four consecutive sessions.

They can continue after this, providing spaces are available .No previous fishing experience or knowledge required. Contact Mark at [email protected] or [email protected].

The 'wellbeing woodcarving/whittling/walking' sessions will take place on a Wednesday afternoon at the same venue and same times. These will start on Wednesday, September 16. All participants must be registered/previously referred into the sessions prior to attending.

The woodcarving sessions will involve each participant working on an individual, chosen carving project, each week. Therefore, it's important that those referred into these sessions understand this as we will have an experienced woodcarver attending each session to support delivery, as well as other staff members. From previous woodcarving experience, it is envisaged the carvings will take up to six sessions to fully complete and will involve fish carvings, wild birds, or even a walking stick topper/cane topper/cane handle - turning a simple branch or wood block into a functional piece of art.

Members of the community can speak to their GP, health and wellbeing coach, social prescribing link worker, who would then refer them into one/some/all of the above sessions. If anybody would like further information about any of the sessions, they can contact Mark directly at [email protected].