Fishing scheme for veterans with PTSD honoured at awards

A fishing programme for people experiencing mental health conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression has been highly commended in a national awards scheme.

iCARP community interest company offers a tailored angling programme, which has benefited people who have used several services run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).

These include armed forces veterans under the care of the Op COURAGE specialist mental health service, migrants and refugees supported by the Special Allocation Service, and people who have received care from the Colchester and Tendring community specialist mental health teams.

iCARP is based in Great Oakley and was jointly founded by chartered psychologist Dr Mark Wheeler and cognitive neuroscientist Dr Nick Cooper, both of who work in the Department of Psychology.

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'Provides a calming environment'

Dr Wheeler said: “iCARP’s intervention offers a powerful, nature-based therapeutic approach that complements traditional NHS community mental health services.

“By engaging patients in structured outdoor activities such as therapeutic angling and eco-therapy, iCARP provides a calming environment that reduces anxiety, improves mood, and supports emotional regulation.

“This unique setting fosters trust, social connection, and recovery-focused engagement, particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety or complex trauma.

“Our local NHS teams have found that working with iCARP enhances patient wellbeing, encourages consistent participation in care, builds on existing bonds formed between service users and support workers and contributes to positive long-term mental health outcomes.”

Highly commended

The programme was highly commended in the category of Innovation in Community Mental Health in the Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards, which were held on Thursday 19 June.

Professor Chris Greer, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Essex, said: “The pioneering work of iCARP has made real strides in developing new and innovative ways to treat the most vulnerable in society through angling.

“Veterans, refugees, and other PTSD sufferers have benefited from the techniques developed through research at Essex and we are incredibly proud of their work.”

iCARP’s fishing programme breaks down barriers for these people who may find it more difficult to open up in traditional therapy sessions, complementing the therapeutic work and engagement provided by EPUT teams.

It uses angling as a way to help people relax and learn a new skill, at the same time providing a supportive and safe space for them to talk to qualified coaches and other participants about their mental health.

Potential for angling to be prescribed

More than 1,000 people attended iCARP’s programmes in 2024, many of whom were people who use EPUT’s services.

And 95% of iCARP’s coaches are people who have benefited from the fishing programme themselves for mental health challenges.

iCARP is working on a number of projects, including an extensive research project in conjunction with the University to explore the potential for angling to be prescribed in the future to help police officers, paramedics, firefighters, and coastguard rescue officers deal with trauma.

The research is being funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the ultimate goal is to have angling available on social prescription.