AppleCast began life as CAST North West, founded in 2006 by Neil Farnworth. It became a registered charity in 2008. In 2016, we merged with the Red Apple Trust to become AppleCast.
It all started with a few fishing days for young people.
These were run with the local Youth Offending Team to help reduce anti-social behaviour. The sessions were a big success. Soon after, CAST received funding to create an alternative education centre.
The funding allowed us to build our first facilities - a classroom, welfare area and storage space. Fishing was used as a tool for learning, helping young people build respect, confidence, and self-esteem, whilst bringing different generations together.
As more young people got involved, we developed an education package that used angling to teach literacy, numeracy and practical life skills. Our calm, outdoor setting created a safe and therapeutic space where people of all abilities could re-engage with learning.
Our reach continued to grow and we’ve worked alongside some of the most disengaged young people in the area. For us, fishing has never been the goal, it’s the hook to engage young people who find authority and mainstream schooling difficult. Our work is about helping young people who are struggling, helping them to find stability, purpose, and a path towards a brighter future.
In 2016, we received a Communities Investment Fund grant from Wigan Council as part of The Deal. This funding helped us take a big step forward. We expanded our work to reach new groups, built respite lodges and opened a garden centre. We also launched a day service for people with learning disabilities, offering activities such as horticulture, aquaponics, conservation and animal therapy.
