Cast North West

Welcome to Cast North West

Education through Angling

 Cast North West was started in 2006 by Project Co-ordinator Neil Farnworth. The project originally started with Neil running fishing days for the local young people at Gone Fishing fishery.  These days proved to be very popular and Neil was soon approached by Wigan Youth Offend Team asking if he could run some days for their young people. No facilities were available at the waters edge during these days, which at times proved very difficult due to the British weather, but still were very enjoyable for the young people attending and Neil, with many positive outcomes. From this success Neil qualified as a Level 2 Angling coach to continue the good work he had started and enjoyed so much.

On the 14th August 2006, Cast North West received funding from SRB 6 (Ince Ward) for facilities for the young people to be put at the waters edge, and received charitable status in March 2008. From having no facilities, Cast now has a canteen, classroom, toilet facilities, store room and office from which we have been able to expand rapidly and offer our services to a wider area of the North West.

With the addition of 2 full time Angling Coaches and various volunteers to work along side Neil, Cast NW now works with around 60 young people a week.

Cast North West offers a safe environment for young people to achieve through the sport of angling. Angling is a fantastic way to engage with young people, who may have to deal with various issues in their lives.

The engagement with the young people through angling helps Cast NW to run educational courses through National open college network covering a variety of subjects. For a list of courses Cast run please visit our education page.

All the courses meet the criteria for NOCN accreditation and can be designed to meet the criteria for the new NOCN Step-UP(QCF)(Skills towards enabling progression) Programme.  For more information about NOCN and the Step-UP programme please visit our page about NOCN and Step-UP programme.

In addition to the various qualifications and accredited certificates the young people have the opportunity to gain, they will also learn key life skills including confidence, respect, patience and perseverance.

CAST is based at Gone fishing fishery in Platt Bridge, Wigan and is located in a beautiful, tranquil setting creating a relaxing and therapeutic environment. The pond is heavily stocked with a number of different species of fish ranging from under one pound in weight for beginners up to approximately 25 pounds for those who are more experienced or those who like a challenge. At CAST all equipment, bait and full tuition is provided on either an individual basis or for groups of up to 12 young people at any one time. We offer taster days or can arrange structured tuition leading to academic accreditation.

All the staff at Cast NW are fully qualified and enhanced CRB checked and fully committed to helping young people achieve.