The 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 fishers 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.
The SeaFit Programme 2020 impact
4,500
Interactions with fishermen and their families
67
People received Dental Treatment & Advice
2,082
People engaged with by our Healthy Lifestyle Advisors
119
Mental Health counselling sessions
Healthy Lifestyle Advisors
Our team of Healthy Lifestyle Advisors work with fishers 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
Our Healthy Lifestyle Advisor, Hazel Smith, is based in Newlyn, and works with fishers and their families in and around the harbour, offering advice and support on health issues:
To find out more about any aspect of the Healthy Lifestyle Advice service phone Hazel on 07753 460 957 or email: hazel.smith@cornwall.gov.uk
Yorkshire
Our Healthy Trainer in Bridlington can be contacted by email HNF-TR.healthtrainers@nhs.net or phone Rich Beecroft on 0800 917 7752
Aberdeenshire
The Health Lifestyle Advisor Peterhead can be contacted by email: healthylifestyleadvisor@aberdeenshire.gov.uk 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 fishers 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: PDMSeafit@fishermensmission.org.uk
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 01736 366 224 or email fairwinds781@outlook.com
Norfolk and Suffolk
We offer mental health and wellbeing advice, support and signposting in Norfolk and Suffolk through a project called Fishwell which is delivered by MTICC, a social enterprise working in mental health and wellbeing in East Anglia. Fishwell engages with fishers on the quayside at a variety of locations including Lowestoft, Southwold, Dunwich, Sizewell, Thorpeness, Alderburgh, Felixstowe, Orford, Cromer, Wells-next-the-sea and King’s Lynn.
To find out more call Fishwell on 01284 765854, email info@fishwell.org.uk or visit their website www.fishwell.org.ukto find out about future events.
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 get treatment.
