Angling for calm
Five years ago Anthony Carr was struggling with addiction and his life was spiralling out of control. Today he is free of drugs and has dedicated his life to helping others. Together with pal Andrew Farnworth, he has launched a number of community projects aimed at helping people living in challenging circumstances, including a unique angling club called Fishing With Friends. The Bolton group is made up of former prisoners, the young and vulnerable and those with mental health problems. They are all men that Anthony can relate to. He says: “I have been in their shoes, I know what it is like. And I know what a help fishing can be. “It is something about being around water – it is calming and peaceful and it gives you something to focus on other than what is happening in your day-to-day life. “It doesn’t even matter if you catch a fish or not. When the guys first join they don’t say much. But over time they do, they can share with the group, relax, and have a laugh. “Even with those lads who don’t say much, I can have a one-to-one with them without them even realising. They will open up and if they want to talk, they can.” One member, John, 47, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, says: “It makes me feel good, just being there. It gives me the chance to open up and talk about whatever is going on in my life.”