AppleCast began life as CAST North West, founded in 2006 by Neil Farnworth, and became a registered charity in 2008. In 2016, we merged with the Red Apple Trust to become AppleCast. What started as just a few fishing days for young people has grown into something much bigger.
Those early sessions were delivered alongside the local Youth Offending Team to help reduce anti-social behaviour. They quickly proved to be a huge success, leading to funding that allowed CAST to create an alternative education centre.
This funding enabled us to build our first facilities — a classroom, welfare area, and storage space. Fishing became a powerful tool for learning, helping young people develop respect, confidence, and self-esteem, while also bringing different generations together.
As participation grew, we developed an education programme using angling to teach literacy, numeracy, and practical life skills. Our calm, outdoor setting created a safe, therapeutic environment where people of all abilities could re-engage with learning.
Over time, our reach continued to expand, and we began working alongside some of the most disengaged young people in the area. For us, fishing has never been the end goal — it’s the hook that engages young people who may struggle with authority or mainstream education. Our mission has always been to support those facing challenges, helping them find stability, purpose, and a pathway toward a brighter future.
In 2016, we received a Communities Investment Fund grant from Wigan Council as part of The Deal, enabling us to take a major step forward. We expanded our services 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 including horticulture, aquaponics, conservation, and animal-assisted therapy.
Our current Visitors Centre opened in 2016, complete with a fully equipped training kitchen. AppleCast Farm followed in 2017 and has grown steadily in both size and visitor numbers ever since. We are now home to a wide range of rare breed animals, including alpacas and pygmy goats. On average, we welcome over 5,000 visitors each month and deliver an expanding programme of events throughout the year. Accessibility remains at the heart of what we do, with regular autism-friendly and disability-inclusive sessions.
In 2024, we launched our Construction Crew work experience programme in partnership with Northstone Construction, providing hands-on training and real-world experience in the building trade.
