‘Farming Fit’ - An example of PAWS' work
The Farming Fit project brings essential health and wellbeing information directly to the agricultural sector at livestock markets and major agricultural events across Powys. Developed in partnership with Powys County Council’s Community Health Protection & Wellbeing team and Powys Teaching Health Board, the initiative aims to support farmers' physical and mental health.
Eighteen months in development, the project officially launched at the Royal Welsh Show in July 2024, offering a range of health checks, including pulse checks, BMI measurement, blood glucose and blood pressure monitoring, and carbon monoxide screening. Farmers also had access to mental health support, medical signposting, and lifestyle assessments. During the four-day event, over 1,100 health checks were carried out.
Following its launch, Farming Fit continued with a monthly programme of visits to livestock markets in Welshpool, Builth, and Brecon from August to December 2024. At the August events alone, 30 people received health checks at each market. The project also attended the Setember NSA Ram Sale in Builth and the two-day RWAS Winter Fair in November.
The project is delivered by a dedicated team at each event, including a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Community Health Protection & Wellbeing Officers, a PAVO Community Connector, and representatives from Mid and North Powys Mind, Ponthafren, Mamwlad, and Lingen Davies Cancer Trust.
Thank you to Lesley Cormelio (Farming Community Network), Jamie Burt (Ponthafren), Sue Newham (PAVO), and Michael Crawshaw representing SaTH for driving this initiative forward and exploring options on behalf of the sector. Special thanks also go to our partners, particularly the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.
Finally, thank you to Dr. Greg Langridge-Thomas (Powys County Council) for securing the support of the Council and the Health Promotion Team through his ‘Farming Fit’ academic paper.
