newbie advice wanted

Welcome Nicko. I guess there are a few places a little further from the sea (Leicester?). I'm not aware of any clubs in your immediate area. There is the International Club based in London, there is another on the south coast, I think based in Sussex (/Hampshire/Kent) and another in Exeter. There are also budding new clubs starting out in Wessex (although centred around Dorset last I read &, perhaps, Hampshire) - search this forum for details, and Wales. I expect there are other spearos in the midlands, perhaps organized around universities/colleges.

As far as I can tell, the more established clubs tend to be competition-oriented and associated with the British Spearfishing Association - giving them structure. You may wish to contact the BSA to find out where there clubs are. The newer clubs seem to attract a broader range of interests and philosophies/ethics (including some strongly opposed to competition) - although whether they will last without that structure remains to be seen. If (like me) you spear fish only to provide fresh fish for your family and for the sheer joy of being in the sea, you don't really need a club. That's not say there are not benefits to being in a club: you'll learn a lot from others, can share transport costs and socialize - but it is not required in the same way as it is for competitions.

Some of the more experienced divers offer freediving & spearfishing courses from time-to-time - which you typically have to pay for (but it might save your life).