An award-winning initiative delivering health and wellbeing support directly to Powys’ rural communities has marked its first year with more than 760 health checks carried out – and nearly 100 people urged to seek further medical help.

Farming Fit, which launched at the Royal Welsh Show in 2024, takes health advice and checks out to places familiar and accessible to farmers, such as livestock markets and agricultural shows.

Over the last year, the scheme has made 44 visits to rural events, recorded 2,800 wellbeing interactions, and completed 766 health checks. Of those seen, 97 individuals were advised to contact their GP or local pharmacy.

The scheme offers blood pressure checks, lifestyle assessments, smoking cessation advice and mental health support, all in a confidential and approachable setting.

Cllr Richard Church, Cabinet Member for Legal and Regulatory Services, said: “Farming Fit has proven that meeting people where they are – on farms, at markets, and at shows – can break down barriers to accessing health support.

“The feedback from the farming community has been overwhelmingly positive, and the data shows we’re making a real difference.”

Mererid Bowley, Executive Director of Public Health, said: “We know that the farming industry can be very demanding, with the farming community working long and antisocial hours which means they often have difficulties accessing traditional health and wellbeing services.

“I’m delighted that this outreach health promotion project, offering opportunistic health promotion and screening, has been well received by the community to support their health and wellbeing.”

Clair Swales, Chief Executive of Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), said: “We’re delighted to celebrate the first anniversary of the Farming Fit project. What started as an idea within the PAVO-coordinated Powys Agri Wellbeing Support Network has grown into a thriving initiative over the last year.”

For more information, visit: https://en.powys.gov.uk/farmingfit