Shropshire wins Health Promotion of The Year award for farmers’ health checks

Shropshire Council’s health checks for the farming community have been awarded Health Promotion of The Year at the West Midlands Public Health Ball awards ceremony. 

Shropshire Council wins Health Promotion of the Year for farmers’ health checks

The Public Health Ball awards were held on Saturday 20th May, organised by West Midlands Public Health Registrars to recognise the work that has taken place in the sector in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic began.   

Shropshire Council’s health checks for farmers took the award for Health Promotion of The Year thanks to the successful partnership between Shropshire Council and local charity, Shropshire Rural Support. 

The service began in January at Halls livestock auctions in Shrewsbury and has since grown to include McCartney’s livestock market in Ludlow.  Shropshire Council’s community wellbeing outreach team visit each of the markets, usually once every fortnight, and can provide blood pressure readings as well as listening to other wellbeing concerns and signposting services and support. 

Since the service began, agencies such as West Midlands Police, NHS diabetes practitioners and Severn Trent Water have also joined the team, to offer advice on wider issues that affect the farming community.  The project is now being expanded to include Market Drayton livestock market, run by Barber’s auctions, so that it can reach even more people in the community. 

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for public health, adult social care and communities said:- 

“It has been wonderful to see this important project develop from the early stages into the great success that it has become today.  Already, we know that these health checks have led to GP and pharmacy referrals, as well as lifestyle changes to improve the blood pressure and general health of farmers in Shropshire.  The visits have also encouraged a more open conversation about wider wellbeing, including bereavement and mental health. 

“We are thrilled to have the recognition of this award, but we take the most pride in the way we have been welcomed into the farming community.   The success of the programme is down to the friendly and professional nature of the outreach officers, the guidance of Shropshire Rural Support and the warm welcome that we have received from the farmers themselves.  Well done to everybody involved.” 

Jane Latter from Shropshire Rural Support said:- 

“We are delighted by the success of the initiative and how the farming community has embraced the project.  Huge thanks must go to the outreach team who have worked hard to develop positive links within the farming community.  

“We are grateful for the support from Halls, McCartneys and Barbers Livestock Markets along with the NFU and the Shropshire Federation of Young Farmers.” 

Find out more about the wellbeing outreach team here: Community Wellbeing Outreach team | Shropshire Council