A housing association which helps support jobseekers is providing free fishing sessions to help boost the confidence of those using their service and to develop their skills relating to gaining employment.
The new Get Fishing for Wellbeing sessions are being run as part of MPT Steps, a project aimed at helping unemployed people in Lancashire find and sustain employment.
MPT Steps is delivered by 20 partners across Lancashire, with the partnership managed by Active Lancashire and funding provided by the European Social Fund, and was set up to combat rising unemployment caused by the pandemic.
The fishing sessions take place at Devine Fishery in Accrington and Kearns Allens in Baxenden and provide participants with the opportunity to learn new skills, build new relationships, and work together with others.
By offering an enjoyable and relaxed environment, the hope is jobseekers can overcome any anxieties or insecurities they may have about returning to work.
Clare McKenna, an MPT Steps mentor, said: “At the heart of this project is an ambition to support the residents of Lancashire and help improve their overall health and wellbeing.
“We understand that finding employment can be a daunting prospect, especially for those who have been out of work for some time. We believe that by providing enjoyable and engaging health and wellbeing activities such as fishing, we can help jobseekers build their confidence and develop the skills they need to become successful in the workplace.”
Local resident Gareth Wilde has frequently attended the fishing sessions and now supports the project as a lead volunteer.
He said: “The fishing project has provided me with a unique opportunity to learn new skills while enjoying the great outdoors and meeting new people.
“Not only did I bring my extensive knowledge of fishing to the group, I have also learnt more with the help of the group and had the chance of passing my knowledge on around fishing, but the experience has given me a newfound confidence that I can take with me into the workplace and beyond.”
The sessions are one of many services provided to help individuals improve their employability through MPT Steps, which also include interview skills training, support with CVs, and bespoke training delivered with local businesses to provide people with the skills the need for vacancies.
Other free wellbeing sessions include gardening projects, couch to 5k running sessions, yoga, and cycling.
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