Roscommon Sports Partnership is now inviting applications for their unique six-week ‘Operation TransFARMation’ programme which has been created specifically for farmers.
The programme seeks to improve farmer health and well-being in line with the Healthy Ireland Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025 and the Healthy Roscommon Plan (2018-2021) as well as the National Physical Activity Plan.
This programme commences on Monday, January 13th and will be delivered every Monday evening from 7-9 pm at Culleen Hall, Knockcroghery in Roscommon by an expert team.
Sessions and consultations
During the two-hour session, participants will take part in an educational workshop followed by a physical activity session and will be further supported by the ‘on-call’ motivation mentor who is available to the participants on a 24/7 basis for the duration of the programme.
Participants will also have the opportunity to have private 1:1 consultations with a health care professional each week who will carry out specific health monitoring.
The programme is free to participants as it is fully funded by Roscommon Sports Partnership who are supported by Healthy Ireland, Roscommon County Council and Sport Ireland.
Operation TransFARMation is also endorsed by the regional executive of the Irish Farmers’ Association and will address back and joint care issues which can be a specific occupational concern for farmers, according to organisers.
Significant health outcomes
“This is an opportunity not to be missed” claims Laura Tully who is the programme creator and co-facilitator.
Laura, a nurse with over 20 years’ experience in promoting health, has delivered similar programmes across the county in recent years noting significant health outcomes for participants such as improvements in weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, cardiovascular fitness and strength.
Outcomes such as these, she explained, can reduce a person’s risk of developing type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea, certain cancers and a range of illness and diseases which farmers are more at risk of.
Less farmer fatigue
Damien Martin, the community sports development officer with Roscommon Sports Partnership and co-facilitator of the programme, said: “Farmers who have participated in our programmes have found themselves having more energy and less farmer fatigue which can be a significant contributor to farm accidents, they often remark that they wished they had done it sooner and tend to generally keep up the exercise themselves after our programmes finish”
“This programme is specifically designed for farmers, there are no age limits and all levels of ability will be catered for.”
“There will be a non-competitive environment where we will work as a team to achieve our goals and we will have plenty of ‘craic’ too over the few weeks.”
“I urge men who are farmers or from a farming background living in the locality and thinking of improving an aspect of their health or fitness in 2020 to consider participating in this programme, it can and will change your life!” Laura concluded.
More information
Laura can be contacted for an application form or further details on [email protected] or by calling – 086-3474662. Places are limited and registration is essential.
