Fishing With Tom: The Youth Focused Angling Charity

By Tom Carroll

I thought I was on the scrap heap after illness laid me low. I had a mild stroke and I suffer from osteoarthritis, and after ten years on benefits, I feared I would never work again. Then finally, after attempting to return to work and failing, feeling lower than a snake’s belly, I founded Fishing With Tom and not only turned my life around, but am now helping shoals of troubled youngsters change track. 

In 2005, I sat down with Shaw Trust’s project officer, Diane Stabler, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The organization provides training and work opportunities to people disadvantaged in the labour market from disability, health or social circumstances. And together, we turned my love of angling into a coaching charity to help some of England’s most troubled youngsters. 

I was already motivated to do something to help our youth because of my son’s previous involvement with drugs (heroin) and anti-social activities. With Diane’s help, I was able to look at the opportunities available and, having broached the possibility of some kind of teaching, embarked on the course to become an angling coach with the Trout and Salmon Association.  Shortly after I qualified to become an angling instructor, and with Shaw Trust’s help, I found the funding and equipment needed to launch my ten week program.

Most of our work comes from youngsters sent to us by the County Durham Youth Engagement Service, but we work with private clients as well. The youngsters are between six and seventeen, are in secured facilities, or tagged, or awaiting sentencing, and have earned the privilege of fishing lessons through good behaviour. All of our participants are shadowed, and depending on the severity of their offences, some children have as many as four escorts. But regardless of their histories, our program is opened to all. 

There’s a huge learning curve for these kids, with many of them never having had anyone to sit down and talk with. Most don’t make eye contact and many don’t even smile. We teach them fishing, but also how to say “please” and “thank you”, and “excuse me”. They learn to shake hands, not to interrupt, and we do away with the swear words. And with the kids’ help, we have put in place anti-bulling and anti-race policies, child protection programs and more.

Our success is possible with just a little help from them, and all we ask is that they’re willing to give it a try. The benefits they take from fishing are immeasurable and the results speak for themselves. We’ve found that Fishing With Tom provides the kids an opportunity to be free from the pressures of this fast paced life, and we offer a safe place to fish and for the children to be themselves for a few hours. 

The relationships we have with the youngsters are magical. We treat them all as individuals, not criminals, which encourages the improved behaviour and respect they have in turn shown me and my staff. In fact, they respond magnificently. 

We’ve heard back from several of the judges who’ve sentenced some of these kids. One memorably remarked, “This young man in front of me is not the young man who was standing in front of me ten weeks ago. Will somebody please tell me what you did with him?” 

Our project turns people that quickly and, as a result, many of the kids receive reduced sentences. We provide a significant contribution towards diverting young people away from crime, and the rewards work both ways. The changes I see in them make me feel unbelievable, and I get a tingle down my spine every time it happens. It’s been absolutely brilliant as I watch them transform themselves from thugs to young adults.

By ten week’s end, they leave saying, “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” All this from children who just a few weeks ago would not speak or smile. Now they race down to the pond with excitement and a renewed vigour, eager to show us what they’ve purchased from the local fly shop or something they’ve made—And believe me, we see some strange things made by the kids. Everything from home made rods to flies (and some of the wildest flies!).

Most of the kids have never seen fish, and most have nothing. Some turn up in shoes too big or borrowed, and their clothing often isn’t their own. It’s very sad to see and you just want to give them something to help. But you have to forget those things and the stories you hear, otherwise you won’t be able to do the job.   

I would love to run the project full-time but my health and limited mobility won’t let me. We have taken on some lads to help run the charity, but they come to us from the dole (state benefits program) and are only there until they find full-time work (their time with us is all unpaid except for petrol expenses). We have applied for charity status, which will allow us to extend the hours and are just waiting on word. I am also constantly fund raising and appealing for volunteers, sponsors and donations of equipment via our website at www.fishingwithtom.com. 

Since I opened the doors of this unique project, we’ve helped over 5,000 children enjoy something that many of us take for granted. We have touched the lives of so many young people in the UK that I’m surprised no one else has taken this on in other areas. I find it hard to put into words just how I feel about the work me and my team do, and I go home at night with a glow around me. We’re not saints, just very proud of what we do!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Youth Engagement Service Intensive Supervision & Surveillance Program and Durham County Council, CATS & Kittens, as well as the local youth clubs and schools who have helped to keep this project running. 

To learn how you can get involved with Fishing With Tom, or to make donations, please visit www.fishingwithtom.com.