As the Covid-19 pandemic enters its third year, a health and wellbeing outreach service to fishing communities in the UK is continuing with the SeaFit Programme – a joint initiative between Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS) and the Fishermen's Mission.
SeaFit grants fishermen and their families easy access to free-of-cost health and wellbeing services.
The programme offers dental check-ups at special events; mental health support; physiotherapy; and support to safely quit drug use, alcoholism and smoking. These services are provided in partnership with a range of providers such as Dentaid, Fishwell, Fairwinds, NHS Cornwall, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, and the Eastern Liver Network.
SHS CEO Sandra Welch said: 'Fishermen have busy and unpredictable schedules, which makes it difficult to arrange health and wellbeing appointments. Seafarers Hospital Society works with our partners to ensure that taking care of oneself is not a burden for the fishing community.'
Building on the successes of 2021 – such as the take-up of over 1,400 vaccinations by migrant fishermen working in the UK – the programme is well-placed to identify gaps in policy affecting these communities and liaise to provide workable solutions.
Aside from quayside health events – such as upcoming 2022 events in Skye (10 September) and Shoreham Port (10 November) – SeaFit also conducts online sessions for members of the fishing community who may struggle to come to an event (such as a recent training course on the use of Naloxone).
Representatives of SeaFit will also be participating as speakers in SHS' health webinar series covering key issues like cancer awareness, stopping smoking and men's health.
- Fishing crew can find out more about the SeaFit Programme on the SHS website
Tags
More articles
Seafarer health and wellbeing webinars launched in response to global challenges
A series of webinars has been organised by Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS) to help seafarers cope mentally and physically with the challenges of working at sea during ongoing pandemic risks, and potentially being caught up in global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine invasion.
Celebrating the sea at Nautilus Mariners' Park
In a new community activity to foster post-Covid morale-boosting friendships among former seafarers, Nautilus Mariners' Park hosted a 'celebrating the sea' event for 'off the park' retired seafarers.
ITF sounds the siren of alarm for tugboat workers
Dangerous working conditions and the undermining of pay rates for maritime workers in the tug and towage industry are under the spotlight in an ongoing campaign by the ITF and the ETF and their affiliates, including Nautilus International.