An insight into our Child Centred Programmes
At Cast A Thought CIC, we believe fishing can be far more than a pastime. It can be a welcoming, practical way for young people to build confidence, form positive relationships, manage challenges and discover what they are capable of.
We are proud our flagship programmes: Catch and Connect and Fish Fest. Both use fishing and the outdoors as the starting point, but each offers a distinct pathway for children and young people to develop wellbeing, resilience, belonging and positive futures.
Fishing with purpose
For some young people, traditional support settings can feel daunting, overly formal or simply not the right fit. A fishing session offers a different kind of starting point: time outdoors, a shared activity, space to talk without pressure, and real opportunities to learn through experience.
At Cast A Thought, fishing is the hook—but the wider journey is about connection, confidence and progression. Our programmes are designed to recognise strengths, create positive experiences and help young people take meaningful steps forward. They are delivered by a team combining qualified angling coaching, youth-work experience, wellbeing support, safeguarding expertise and lived experience.
Catch and Connect
Catch and Connect is a 20-week wellbeing programme for young people aged 11–18 who may benefit from additional support with confidence, resilience, relationships or engagement.
Combining fishing, outdoor activity and BrainWaves wellbeing learning, the programme creates a consistent and supportive space in which young people can develop practical and emotional skills at their own pace. It is particularly suited to young people who may be experiencing anxiety, low confidence, social isolation, difficulties with emotional regulation, challenges in education or relationships, or who are neurodivergent or have SEND.
The programme explores key themes including:
Understanding and managing emotions.
Coping with difficult feelings and setbacks.
Recognising strengths and building self-esteem.
Communication, relationships and asking for help.
Healthy lifestyles and positive choices.
Resilience, problem-solving and managing challenges.
Fishing creates natural, real-world moments for learning. Waiting for a bite can encourage patience; a tangled line or missed catch can become an opportunity to manage frustration and adapt; learning to cast, land a first fish or help another participant can build pride and self-belief. Over time, these small moments can help young people see themselves differently: as capable, valued and able to keep trying.
For professionals, Catch and Connect can provide an engaging, strengths-based option alongside existing pastoral, education, family or wellbeing support. For parents and carers, it offers a supportive environment where young people can spend time outdoors, make connections and build confidence without feeling as though they are being singled out for “support.”
Fish Fest
Fish Fest is a positive challenge, competition and leadership pathway. It uses fishing, healthy competition and outdoor activity to help young people build confidence, resilience, relationships and a stronger sense of identity.
Competition is used purposefully—not simply to find a winner, but to create opportunities to practise focus, determination, sportsmanship, teamwork and emotional regulation. Participants learn that success is about more than coming first. It can mean trying something new, staying involved when something feels difficult, supporting a peer, taking responsibility or completing a personal challenge.
Fish Fest gives young people the chance to:
Learn and practice fishing skills in an encouraging environment.
Take part in challenges and friendly competition.
Manage excitement, disappointment and setbacks.
Develop communication, teamwork and decision-making.
Celebrate the achievements of others.
Build responsibility through fish care, event involvement and helping peers.
Progress from participant to competitor, helper, volunteer and young leader.
No previous fishing experience is required. Fish Fest supports every young person from their own starting point, creating a welcoming environment where they can belong, contribute and grow. For some, that may mean catching their first fish. For others, it may mean making a friend, persevering through a difficult moment, helping someone else, or beginning to see themselves as a leader.
Two pathways, one purpose
Catch and Connect and Fish Fest can work as complementary pathways.
Programme | Main focus | Ideal for young people who may benefit from | What it builds |
Catch and Connect | Wellbeing, connection and personal development over 20 weeks | A consistent, supportive route into confidence, emotional wellbeing, relationships and engagement | Resilience, self-esteem, emotional awareness, communication and belonging |
Fish Fest | Positive challenge, competition and leadership | A practical opportunity to develop through participation, achievement and responsibility | Confidence, sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, responsibility and leadership |
Both programmes focus on what young people can do and can become, rather than defining them by the difficulties they may currently face. They create opportunities for progression into local fishing clubs, further outdoor activity, volunteering, qualifications, education, training and wider community involvement.
Working together
We welcome conversations with schools, colleges, alternative provision settings, local authorities, youth services, social care teams, voluntary-sector organisations, parents and carers who want to explore whether one of these programmes could benefit a young person or group.
Every cast can be the start of something bigger: a new skill, a trusted relationship, a positive identity, a sense of belonging or a first step towards a brighter future.
Catch and Connect: fishing, wellbeing, confidence and connection
Fish Fest: fishing, challenge, confidence and progression.
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