PCSP small grant yields a big catch with Angling First

The project was funded through the PCSP small grants scheme and gave young people from across the District the opportunity each week to find out about fishing and to develop their interest and skills.

The project also provided opportunities for local police Neighbourhood Officers to engage with the young people in an informal setting.

Mrs Hilary Dobson, Vice-Chair of Banbridge PCSP, commented, “The Angling First project was a great success, with around 20-25 young people attending on a regular basis over the summer holiday period. It provided an excellent opportunity for effective engagement with those young people and the police, enabling them to get to know their local Neighbourhood Officers in a different setting. I was delighted, on behalf of Banbridge PCSP, to be able to present certificates to the young people who had obviously really enjoyed the experience provided via the project as well as having developed new relationships with other young people and with local police.”

Speaking on behalf of the PSNI Banbridge, Sergeant Paul Ferguson, Dromore and Rathfriland Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The angling competition has been running for a number of years and simply goes from strength to strength. It is amazing to see the progress that the young people involved make during the eight week competition and also beyond that.

A number of youths from previous years now volunteer at Angling First, both assisting at the fishery and also helping with fundraising. It is rewarding to see the young people flourish and nurture their interest in angling beyond the scheme.

“The competition is beneficial for us also. It provides us with the opportunity to engage with our young people and for them to get to know us and that we are here to help.”

For further information about Banbridge PCSP, Its Members and the projects, activities and events that it supports, please contact the PCSP staffing team by phone: 028 4062 0248 or by email: [email protected]