New health and wellbeing initiative announced for farmers in Inishowen

A new health and wellbeing programme designed especially for farmers is being rolled out in Buncrana and Carndonagh this month. 

FIT4FARMLIFE, a free initiative, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, but managed locally by Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP), will run weekly workshops and information events focusing on issues blighting the farming community.

In Inishowen it will be split into two groups of farmers coming from south Inishowen and north Inishowen and will cover a series of topics including farm safety, healthy eating, mental health talks, health checks and fitness sessions. 

As part of the programme, the farmers will gather and enjoy a complimentary hot meal together. 

IDP’s farm family officer Joe Sweeney says this is an important part of the FIT4FARMLIFE programme as it will be an opportunity for farmers to talk to each other and listen to each other. 

“The FIT4FARMLIFE programme addresses a lot of the issues that are facing farmers,” says Joe. 

“Getting people together and breaking bread is so important for social inclusion and ultimately for their mental health.”

As part of the programme, IDP are teaming up with the local Sláintecare Healthy Communities team to introduce healthy eating habits and cooking tips. 

Patricia Lee, IDP team lead for the health and wellbeing team, says they have run similar programmes before with their community nutrition officer Niamh Britton and they have proved very popular with farmers. 

She said they are looking forward to the opportunity to work with the farmers – many of whom IDP have built a close relationship with through farm family officer Joe Sweeney over the past two decades. 

“There is no doubt that these are challenging and difficult times for many farmers throughout Inishowen,” says Patricia. 

“By offering FIT4FARMLIFE, IDP will provide farmers with the opportunity to address the many challenges they face, whilst ensuring first and foremost that they mind their mental health and their physical health and that they continue to be fit, safe and well.” 

The programme will conclude with a large health and wellbeing event in Ballyliffin Lodge Hotel on Wednesday, October 30 where both the north and south Inishowen groups will come together with their farm families, as supporters of participants and to hear the rural farming voice on what’s needed next.

This will be a chance to look back on what they learned, plan for the next phase with renewed and strengthened relationships.  

The south Inishowen group will take place in the Lake of Shadows in Buncrana on Tuesday, October 15 and 22, with the north Inishowen group meeting in Simpsons Bar, Carndonagh on Thursday, October 17 and 24. Places are available however they are limited, so if you are a farmer and want to get involved call Joe on: 086 6052022.