The power of fishing to uplift people struggling with their mental health is the key message of an upcoming charity weekend in Sudbury.
Stephen Border, a keen fisherman and business owner in Acton, has opened up about his own personal journey, as he prepares to host a three-day fund-raiser at Foxearth Fisheries next month.
The event is in aid of Tackling Minds, set up in 2020 by David Lyons, who used fishing to help overcome his mental health difficulties.
The charity is now promoting the activity to support others with their personal challenges, such as addictions or post-traumatic stress disorder, and it has even helped to secure fishing licences as prescriptions via the NHS.
The story behind Tackling Minds was one that resonated with Stephen, who works day to day as the director of AS Blasting & Coatings, based on Acton’s Bull Lane industrial estate.
He revealed he had battled with anxiety and depression, resulting from stress in the workplace, and his wellbeing improved by turning to fishing.
“I was drawn to Tackling Minds, because it relates a lot to me and a huge amount of people in my industry,” Stephen said. “I’m in construction and I suffered with my mental health due to the workplace.
“Life goes 110 miles per hour, with the stress of running a business, the contractual pressures and so on. A lot of people might leave their job in this situation, but I own the company so I couldn’t just quit.
“For me, fishing is more about relaxation. Being on the riverbank and at one with nature, you can just relax. You have no stress and, when you catch something, it feels so rewarding.
“It’s very therapeutic and it really helped me. Fishing is pure tranquility and it’s a really nice thing to do. I’ve got two children, so it’s also something I can do to spend more time with my family.
“A lot of children nowadays don’t have many hobbies, so if you can get them out on the riverbank, rather than staying indoors on their phones, it can really help them as well.”
After discovering Tackling Minds online, Stephen said he reached out to its founder via social media and began attending some of its events.
He now hopes to play a part in extending the reach of the charity, which has been based in the north of England, to other parts of the country.
“Fishing has proven to benefit individuals suffering from depression, ex-military and recovering alcoholics, drug users and many more,” added Stephen.
“It’s even proven to reduce crime, due to keeping people off the streets, and keeping people suffering from addictions on the straight and narrow.
“Tackling Minds is a growing organisation looking to nationalise their efforts – this event will be the first based in our area. Making people aware of the cause will help this become the future.”
The fund-raiser at Foxearth Fisheries will run from July 5 to 7, with a total of 12 pegs available to sponsor on the main lake.
The main event for the general public is an open day, from 9am to 3pm on July 6, while the Friday and the Sunday are primarily aimed at anglers.
During the open day, attendees are invited to try their hand at fishing, with prizes available for the most fish caught and the biggest catch.
Nethergate Brewery is also running a barbecue and bar in the evening, while visitors will have a chance to meet the Tackling Minds team, as well as various other charities running stalls on the day.
To learn more about the work of Tackling Minds, go online to www.tacklingminds.org.
Tickets can be reserved by emailing stephen@as-bc.co.uk.
