Farmers who participated in a six-week Fit Farmers programme at Ballinaheglish Community Centre improved their fitness by over 20%, reporting more energy, better sleep and a noticeable lift in motivation.
The Fit Farmers Roscommon programme is a six-week health and wellbeing initiative that has transformed habits, fitness and friendships across the county.
In the case of the Ballinaheglish group 93% of farmers showed measurable improvement in at least one health indicator such as blood pressure, BMI or fitness; 100% reported feeling more connected and supported through the group; 94% adopted two or more new healthy habits, including improved diet, hydration and exercise routines; 89% recorded a reduction in waist circumference, and 96% improved lower limb strength.
Delivered under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Open Call for Farmer Health, Safety and Wellbeing Projects, Fit Farmers is designed and led by local health facilitator Laura Tully, in partnership with Roscommon Sports Partnership and Roscommon County Council’s Healthy Roscommon team.
Over the six weeks in Ballinaheglish Community Centre 27 participants, aged between 39 and 85 years, took part in weekly fitness sessions, health checks and practical workshops covering everything from nutrition and sleep to stress management and injury prevention. Attendance was high throughout averaging 94% each week, reflecting the enthusiasm and commitment of participants.
Participants described the experience as “a tonic for body and mind”. One farmer credited the programme with identifying high blood pressure he would not otherwise have known he had, that led to early treatment.
The final evening combined celebration and learning, featuring a guest talk on hearing health from Shanagher Hearing, presentation of completion certificates and plenty of good-humoured chat over refreshments.
Roscommon Sports Partnership also announced a four-week follow-on programme to help participants continue their fitness journey.
Speaking at the event, facilitator Laura Tully said: “It’s incredible what a group of farmers can achieve when they come together. Fit Farmers isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress, small steps and looking out for yourself and each other. The change we’ve seen here in just six weeks has been genuinely uplifting.”
With close to 400 Roscommon farmers now having taken part since the initiative began in 2019, Fit Farmers continues to grow as a shining example of how community-based health projects can make a real, measurable difference. The momentum looks set to continue beyond the six weeks, with 77% of participants already downloading the new Fit Farmers app and more planning to do so, helping them stay active, track progress and keep connected.
Special thanks were extended from Laura Tully to the Ballinaheglish Community Centre committee for the warm welcome and support throughout the six weeks and to the farmers themselves, whose enthusiasm, commitment and good humour made the programme such a success.
