The Angling Trust is delighted to announce that David Lyons, founder, director and lead angling coach of Tackling Minds, has accepted an invitation to become an Angling Trust Ambassador.
David is widely recognised for his work using angling to support people facing mental health challenges, social isolation and other barriers to wellbeing. Through Tackling Minds, he has helped people discover how time spent by the water can transform confidence, connection with others, and recovery.
Founded in February 2020 in Greater Manchester, overlooking Hollingworth Lake, Tackling Minds was created after David’s own experience with complex mental health problems. Fishing played a vital role in his recovery and ultimately inspired him to help others benefit from the same therapeutic environment.
David Lyons said:
“Fishing quite literally saved my life. It gave me space to breathe, rebuild my confidence and connect with people again when I was at my lowest. Through Tackling Minds, I’ve now seen thousands of people experience those same life-changing benefits.
“Anglers should join the Angling Trust & Fish Legal because they are the voice protecting the sport we all love – from fighting pollution and defending our waters, to opening the door for more people to experience the mental health benefits of angling. By joining, you’re not just supporting fishing today, you’re helping safeguard it for future generations.”
Tackling Minds was founded with a simple but powerful purpose: to improve mental health, reduce social isolation and create opportunities for people who are often left behind by traditional services. Fishing is used to achieve that aim, but the organisation’s mission is broader — helping people build confidence, community and a sense of purpose.
Tackling Minds works with people from all walks of life, including disabled people, those living with mental health conditions, individuals in recovery from addiction, veterans, young people, families, and those experiencing poverty or long-term health conditions. For many participants, the calm and inclusive environment of fishing offers a safe space to reconnect with themselves and others.
Tackling Minds sessions are free, inclusive and person-centred, and participants do not need any previous fishing experience. All equipment and support are provided, with qualified coaches and volunteers — many with lived experience — creating a stigma-free environment where people can feel safe, understood and valued.
The organisation works closely with partners including mental health organisations, schools, NHS social prescribing link workers and police divisions, helping to reach people who often struggle to engage with traditional support services.
Jamie Cook, Angling Trust CEO, said:
“As an Angling Trust Ambassador, David will help highlight the positive role angling can play in improving wellbeing, strengthening communities and protecting the environment. His work through Tackling Minds demonstrates how fishing can be far more than a pastime — it can be a powerful pathway to better mental health and lasting personal change.
“The Angling Trust is proud to welcome David as an Ambassador and looks forward to working with him to promote the benefits of angling and ensure the sport continues to thrive for future generations.”
