The award winning SeaFit Programme is a joint initiative between the Seafarers Hospital Society and The Fishermen’s Mission, to deliver sustainable improvements in the health and wellbeing of fishermen and their families around the United Kingdom.
SeaFit
SeaFit is a long-term programme designed to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of fishermen throughout the UK, delivered in partnership with The Fishermen’s Mission. It links with NHS and Public Health services to facilitate access to local health promotion and prevention initiatives and, where services are limited, works with local teams to support outreach into fishing communities.
SeaFit provides a range of free services direct to the community:
- NHS Health checks at the harbourside
- Healthy Lifestyle Advisors in the community
- Dental checks with some initial treatment
- Access to mental health and wellbeing support
- Physiotherapy
The SeaFit brand is now established and recognised in many fishing ports around the UK. Evidence from the Programme shows that fishers are more likely to seek help to improve their health and wellbeing when services are taken directly to them at the quayside.
Using a holistic approach, we have been able to initiate individual health improvements in a relatively short time. More fishers are being empowered to change their behaviour by making positive lifestyle choices.
2025: Our work in numbers
2,500
Wellbeing engagements
37
Health Checks at Events
153
Dental Checks
| SeaFit Health Events (Wales) | |
| Saundersfoot | 18 February 2026 |
| Swansea Yacht Club | 19 February 2026 |
| Pwillheli | 17 March 2026 |
| Bangor | 18 March 2026 |
| Connah’s Quay | 19 March 2026 |
| New Quay | 24 March 2026 |
| Milford Haven | 25 March 2026 |
| SeaFit Health Events (UK wide) | |
| Hastings | 30 April 2026 |
| Bridlington | 20, 21 May 2026 |
| Brixham Smile Together | 18, 19 June 2026 |
| Peterhead | 10 September 2026 |
| Fraserburgh | 11 September 2026 |
| Stranraer | 1 October 2026 |
| Seahouses | 14 October 2026 |
| Blyth | 15 October 2026 |
| Shoreham | 29 October 2026 |
Fishing for Better Health (Brixham)
- 29 January 2026
- 26 March 2026
- 14 May 2026
- 30 July 2026
Dermatology Clinics
- 26 February 2026
- 23 April 2026
- 25 June 2026
- 10 September 2026
- 12 November 2026
Healthy Lifestyle Advisors
Our team of Healthy Lifestyle Advisors work with fishermen and their families in various locations around the UK to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Activities include:
- help to stop smoking
- healthy eating and weight management
- physical activity
- help to stop alcohol and drug abuse
We currently offer healthy lifestyle advice in the following locations:
Cornwall
Healthy Lifestyle Advisors in Cornwall can be contacted via Healthy Cornwall on 01209 615600 or [email protected] offering fishermen and their families advice and support on health issues.
Yorkshire
Our Healthy Trainer in Bridlington can be contacted by email [email protected] or phone Rich Beecroft on 0800 917 7752
Aberdeenshire
The Health Lifestyle Advisor Peterhead can be contacted by email: [email protected] or phone Catriona Arthur on 07436 020 165
Skipper John White
Free dental checks and initial treatment
We deliver free dental health checks and some initial treatment to fishermen and their families through Dentaid.
Dental health is just as important as physical and mental health but when you’re out at sea it’s often not a priority. And if you can’t get to see a dentist or you neglect your teeth it can lead to significant problems later on.
That’s why the Seafarers Hospital Society has partnered with the Fishermen’s Mission and community dental provider Dentaid, to take dental health services into the fishing community. We’re providing free dental checks and immediate treatment for fishers and their families at a variety of harbourside locations as part of SeaFit health events. We’re using state of the art mobile dental units, to provide high quality dental care where it’s needed.
To find out more about SeaFit’s work on dental health, call Carol Elliott on 07486 319 621 or email: [email protected]
Mental health and wellbeing support
Given the unique pressures faced by fishermen, they are often have problems accessing health services due to the irregular and transient nature of their work. Tides, weather, and fish locations mean that fishermen can’t plan time off. This makes it difficult to pre-book and keep appointments, and they often suffer a loss of earnings if having to attend appointments during favourable fishing conditions.
It is not just physical health problems; mental health issues, anxieties and low mood are often not addressed, or spoken about for fear of being seen as weak. Financial worries, the cost-of-living crisis, increased regulations, restaurants closing, environmental pressures and market demand, all undoubtedly lead to an increase in anxiety, stress, and greater strain on relationships for fishermen and their families.
As part of our ongoing efforts to support fishermen, we provide mental health and wellbeing support to fishers and their families through Togetherall to complement the service available through Fairwinds. In addition to this Seafit offers fishermen additional mental health support through our mental health network, through Therapy Centre Services.
They provide confidential, professional counselling through online video and telephone sessions, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for all clients.
All referrals are offered an initial appointment within 24 hours and clients can access support between 8am-9pm, 7 days a week.
To find out more visit: www.therapycentreservices.com or call 01905972433
Cornwall
Ceri Summers of Fairwinds, is based in Newlyn. Ceri is an experienced mental health practitioner offering advice, support and counselling to fishers and their families.
To find out more or to book an appointment to see Ceri call 01734 720429 or email [email protected] of [email protected]
Physiotherapy network
In conjunction with Harbourside Physiotherapy Clinic, Seafarers Hospital Society has backed free physiotherapy to fishers for many years. The knowledge and expertise they have built up about the impact of fishing on physical health is unprecedented. See the Fast Track Physiotherapy page for additional information on how to access treatment.
