Finding Focus by the Water

Focus on Young People in Bassetlaw gives a small grant to a young person to assist his passion for fishing!

 

FoYPiB gave a small grant to Rupert to help buy equipment for his passion, this is what his Mum said:     

My son Rupert is 15. Like many teenagers, school hasn’t always been easy for him – but for Rupert, it’s been particularly challenging. He has ADHD, which means focusing on things that don’t truly interest him can be incredibly difficult. And unfortunately, that’s most of school. 

But a couple of years ago, something unexpected changed everything: fishing. 

What started with his friend saying “fancy coming fishing with me?” has become a real passion – and more than that, a lifeline. 

Fishing gives Rupert a sense of purpose. He’s discovered something he’s genuinely good at. There’s real achievement in landing a tricky catch, pride in learning the different species, lures, equipment and baits, and joy in being outdoors, surrounded by nature and the quiet surroundings of others on the lake. 

Fishing has helped Rupert in ways school never quite could. It’s boosted his confidence, sharpened his focus, and even helped develop his social skills in a way that feels natural and pressure-free. The community around local fishing spots has been nothing short of amazing – welcoming, encouraging, and full of shared enthusiasm. 

As someone raised by a teacher (my grandmother), I’ve always believed in the value of education – and I still do. 

 But I’m also learning, as a mother, that education doesn’t just happen in classrooms. Sometimes, life teaches us in other ways – through passion, through experience, and through finding our place in the world. 

Rupert will never love school, he is counting down the days until it’s over, and that’s okay. What matters most is that he’s found something that lights him up, gives him confidence, and makes him feel useful and here for a reason. 

Because at the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want?