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 will run over two years, starting in July 2018.

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

Coming soon to Northern Ireland:

• Ardglass: 19^th & 20^th March
• Portavogie: 29^th March
• Kilkeel: 5^th & 6^th April

To find out more call the Fishermen’s Mission on 07710 389 298 or email pacm@fishermensmission.org.uk

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.

The first Health trainer project was launched in East Riding on the Yorkshire coast, on 24^th 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 will be delivered 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. 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

A similar scheme is now up and running in Newlyn, starting on 2^nd January 2019.  Two Healthy Lifestyle Advisors, based at Harbourside Physiotherapy, will be working with fishermen and their families in and around the harbour. They will 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 will  also be able to undertake NHS Health Checks and refer onto other specialist services. To find out more call 07753 460 957 or 01209 615 600 or email: hazel.smith@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.

 Click here to find out more 

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:

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