Crowdfund Walsall film project ‘Fish On!’ improves men’s wellbeing in Walsall
A new film has premiered in Walsall, placing mental health at the heart of a fishing initiative for men in Walsall. 'To fish is to hope. With every cast comes a new beginning.'
YouTube creators Snagged Bro and Bostin' Creative CIC partnered together to create a new fishing initiative called ‘Fish On!’ to prove how fishing and getting active significantly improves wellbeing. A short film was produced and premiered at Walsall Arena.
Public Health invested in Crowdfund Walsall to deliver a Men’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and a Tackling Inactivity Fund. For this project, the two funds joined forces to improve outcomes for men and alongside 61 community backers, raised over £9,000.
Many statutory bodies are working to engage men in conversations about mental wellbeing and the project helped contribute to these efforts, using the right tools to lead to positive change. ‘Fish On!’ worked with men facing unique challenges, using fishing as a focal point.
Participants were filmed to raise awareness of men’s mental health, celebrate each member's story, get men talking and mobilise a new angling initiative in the heart of Walsall. The project shone a light on engagement by men, between men and for men. The group formed a strong and supportive bond with each other and continue to enjoy fishing either individually, in smaller groups or encourage friends and family to join them. In the run up to the premiere, Snagged Bro and Bostin Creative CIC released a short video on YouTube introducing the project which has already had over 95,000 views. The premiere of the whole film took place on 20 November 2024 at the Walsall Arena. Despite the weather on the day, some 150 men including their families and friends attended. The film received a resounding applause.
One participant said: "It’s been a long time, I’d lost all confidence to take myself fishing, but I want to get back out there, in the fresh air, it’s another life."
Another participant said, "This [project] has saved me...I was way down and now I am a lot better."
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council said: “We are delighted to have supported the Fish On! Crowdfund Walsall project. It has created an amazing local opportunity for men across Walsall to get involved in fishing and improve their mental wellbeing. It is great to support something with such a wide reach into the heart of our communities and we look forward to finding out where this inspirational project may lead.
“I would also like to thank everyone who has pledged to Crowdfund Walsall projects over the last three years and for helping projects like ‘Fish On!’ make a difference to the lives of communities across the borough.”
You can watch the full film on YouTube.
Since launching in 2021, Crowdfund Walsall has raised £392,000 of total project value.
In 2023-2024 alone the programme has benefited over 5,000 residents and delivered 137 activity sessions. Over the three years, 39 initiatives have been funded, with the most recent one being The Fishing Hut by Goscote Greenacres, which has now reached its fundraising target.
