SeaFit Programme
The SeaFit Programme is a joint initiative from the Seafarers Hospital Society and the Fishermen’s Mission, working in partnership to deliver sustainable improvements in the health and wellbeing of fishermen and their families around the UK. Funded by Seafarers UK, the SeaFit Programme started in July 2018 and will run until the end of 2020.
The Programme covers numerous aspects of mental and physical health and wellbeing and provides a range of services direct to the community completely free of charge. This includes:
- Health checks at the harbourside
- Health trainers in the community
- Dental checks with some initial treatment
- Access to mental health and wellbeing support to complement Big White Wall
- Development of a network of physiotherapists trained to meet the specific needs of fishermen, initially in Cornwall and Devon
Health checks
The first SeaFit health check event took place in Peterhead from 2nd – 4th October 2018 and was an outstanding success. The event brought together a wide range of health and wellbeing experts to provide advice, support and treatment at or near the harbourside. Over the course of three days we saw many local fishermen and their families, undertaking 59 health checks and 21 dental checks.
The second was in three locations in Northern Ireland: Ardglass for two days in March 2019, followed by one day in Portavogie and two days in Kilkeel in April 2019. Altogether we reached over 150 fishermen in the three ports, with blood pressure and diabetes checks, Carbon Monoxide and skin cancer tests, physiotherapy, oral health checks and eye tests as well as information, support and guidance on many aspects of physical and mental health and wellbeing.
We are currently planning our next SeaFit health check event. Watch this space for details.
Coming soon to Cornwall and Devon with Smile Together
We’ll be offering a range of health checks alongside the free dental checks and initial treatment provided by Smile Together on a three week tour of Cornwall and Devon, starting on Monday 9th September. Watch this space for regular updates.
Health trainers
Our aim is to build a team of health trainers to work with fishermen and their families in various locations around the UK. Work has started in two key communities, East Riding and Newlyn, where we are currently recruiting and training our teams, and developing relationships with the community.
East Riding
The first Health trainer project was launched in East Riding on the Yorkshire coast, on 24th October. Targeting the fishing communities of Bridlington and the surrounding area, the trainers will be working with fishermen and their families to improve their overall health and wellbeing and connect them to local health and wellbeing services. The service is delivered on behalf of SeaFit by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Living Seas Programme and Humber NHS Teaching Foundation Trust. This follows a successful two-year pilot which was part-funded by the Society.
In their first 3 months the team have engaged with nearly 100 local fishermen and families and are beginning to make a real impact. Skipper John White is a case in point. With support from the Healthtrainers he has improved his diet and lost over a stone in weight. He says he feels much better and is encouraging his crew to get checked too.
To find out more call the Healthtrainer service on 0800 9117752 or email hnf-tr.healthtrainers@nhs.net
Click here to find out more about the launch of the East Riding (Holderness) project
Skipper John White
Newlyn
A similar scheme is now up and running in Newlyn. Two Healthy Lifestyle Advisors, based at Harbourside Physiotherapy, are working with fishermen and their families in and around the harbour. They offer advice and support on a variety of health issues, including stopping smoking, healthy eating and weight management, physical activity, alcohol, drugs, sexual health and cancers. They also undertake free NHS Health Checks and refer on to other specialist services. To find out more call Hazel on 07753 460 957 or Heather on 07483 304 007 or email: hazel.smith@cornwall.gov.uk or heather.prichard@cornwall.gov.uk
Free dental checks and initial treatment
We are working with community dental providers Dentaid and Smile Together to deliver free dental checks and some initial treatment to fishermen and their families. A number of successful events have taken place around the country and more are planned for the coming year. Wherever possible, dental checks will also be included in the health checks events.
We are also working with a local dental practice in Troon to offer a monthly walk-in clinic for fishermen and their families.
Mental health and wellbeing support
We are exploring a variety of ways of providing mental health and wellbeing support to fishermen and their families to complement the online service already available free to working fishermen and merchant seafarers through Big White Wall. The first service to get off the ground is in Newlyn, provided by Ceri Summers of Fairwinds, through the Harbourside Physiotherapy Clinic.
To find out more or to book an appointment to see Ceri call 01736 366 224 or email fairwinds781@outlook.com
Network of physiotherapists
Harbourside Physiotherapy Clinic has been providing free physiotherapy to fishermen with funding from the Society for many years. The knowledge and expertise they have built up about the impact of fishing on physical health is unprecedented. We are working with Harbourside to create a network of physiotherapists in Cornwall and parts of Devon who have practices close to the harbour. They will be trained and supported to provide a holistic and preventative approach to physiotherapy services for local fishermen.
Eight physiotherapy clinics have signed up to the scheme so far. They are:
| AREA | CLINIC | TEL NO | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newlyn | Harbourside Physiotherapy | 01736 366224 | Newlyn |
| Falmouth | Falmouth Physiotherapy | 01326 312156 | Falmouth |
| Mevagissey | Cornwall Physio | 07824 700934 | St Austell |
| Sandy Hill Physical Therapy Centre | 01726 676567 | St Austell | |
| Looe | Cardew Physiotherapy & Performance | 07843 249664 | Seaton |
| Plymouth | Fay Pedler Physiotherapy | 01752 664519 | Plymouth |
| Andrew Higgins & Associates | 01752 294714 | Plymouth | |
| Brixham | Tidal Physiotherapy | 07983 313344 | Brixham |
| Padstow | North Cornwall Physiotherapy | 01208 816666 | Wadebridge |
| Newquay | JB Physio | 07930 424841 | St Column Major |
A number of physiotherapists outside Devon and Cornwall have also shown interest in joining the network and will be confirmed soon.
To find out more about any aspect of the SeaFit Programme call Lysanne Wilson, Health Development Manager on 020 8858 3696 or email: lysannewilson@seahospital.org.uk