How fishing plays key role in Cambridgeshire teacher's road to recovery after cancer diagnosis
Ben got back into fishing after finishing chemotherapy treatment
A man diagnosed with bowel cancer says a fishing group in Cambridgeshire can help improve the lives of more people struggling with their mental health.
Ben received his diagnosis last year and finished six months of chemotherapy treatment this summer, before joining Fishing Buddies.
"Getting people along like me who've fished all their lives is great, but if you can broaden that to people who might be interested with people like me who are mentors, you build up a nice camaraderie if there's a bit of competition with others," he said.
"I think it can go from strength to strength."
The group allows people who are feeling stressed or lonely to take time out of their day, meet one another and talk about their mental health struggles.
It also looks to break down barriers to better wellbeing and using fishing as a tool to improve mental health and creating lasting change.
Cambridge United groundsman Ian Darler - who helped set up Fishing Buddies in partnership with the Cambridge United (CUFC) Foundation and Cambridge Charity Fundraisers - said numbers have doubled through this year.
When asked what he puts the progress down to, Ian said "word of mouth has been a massive part of the achievements we're now seeing.
"These anglers are going away and talking to people who perhaps haven't fished for 10, 15 years."
Fishing helps 'normalise' worries - Ben
Since his diagnosis, Ben has taken time off work and found out about the group through the CUFC Foundation.
"It's definitely helped me to how I've got through this," he said.
"I've been quite open with my cancer journey because I've felt that's what helps me; there's no point trying to hide it because there's nothing to be ashamed of with what's happened.
"It's interesting the amount of people when you do open up, that have had a similar journey or know someone who's going through it and just by talking and normalising it helps."
'Something to look forward to'
Ben is hoping to return to teaching at a special school part-time, nearly 12 months since his diagnosis.
Being off work has meant time spent alone, and by doing an activity he enjoys, Ben is hopeful the group can continue to give him a fresh lease of life.
"A lot of the week I find myself on my own, so it's nice to have something in the calendar to look forward to and know there's going to be other people around to have a chat to," he added.
"I think it's (about) spreading the message and getting more people involved and it's them understanding just because you're coming here, you don't have to talk about your mental health straight away.
"This isn't a counselling session, this is a comfortable place where if you feel happy to talk, you can."