Rural health

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is the largest geographical Trust in Northern Ireland spanning over 1,733 miles. The Trust serves a population of just under 480,000 and according to 2021 census figures nearly 204,000 people live in rural areas or 42.5% of the population.

Living rurally has many benefits including more green spaces, less noise and wonderful views. However, there are also challenges that individuals might experience in rural areas, including access to services, pockets of poverty, geographical isolation, mental health issues and poor transport links.

As a Trust, we recognise the challenges many rural dwellers face, and we are committed to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for our rural population.

Farm Families Health Check Programme

The farming community often work long, anti-social hours, which can lead to difficulty accessing traditional health care services.

Our Farm Families Health Check Programme is aimed at improving the health and social wellbeing of farmers, farm families and rural dwellers, by increasing access to health screening services.

The health checks can be completed quickly and will offer a good indicator of your health, including risk of heart disease, early detection of diabetes and emotional health and wellbeing. You will also find out about the support services that are locally available to you.

Connect North

The Connect North Directory of Services provides access to information about community-based services and support. You can explore a wide range of activities based on the type of support that you need.

From carers’ support, financial advice, and bereavement services to options that encourage physical activity or learning a new skill – there is something for everyone.

You can search the directory by postcode, to check what is available in your area.

Loneliness Networks

Loneliness Networks bring together the Councils, the Northern Trust, statutory, voluntary and community sectors. The networks aim to raise awareness of loneliness, share best practice and learning on ways to prevent and address loneliness and encourage championing of tackling loneliness across the Trust area.

Loneliness and social isolation have been targeted through projects such as chatty cafés where a café designates a table for those who are happy to chat to others, chatty benches placed in open spaces, chatty walks for people wanting to get active and meet others and kindness post boxes that aim to link generations through letter writing.

Loneliness Network: Mid and East Antrim

Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland

The Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland was set up in 2018 by the Northern Trust in partnership with Ulster Farmers Union. The choir brings farmers and rural dwellers together to enjoy singing, and offers a new way for people to meet and socialise together. The choir is now a registered charity and welcomes new members.

Find out more about the Farmers’ Choir through Facebook.

Public health dietitians

Our public health dietitians visit Balmoral Show every year to provide key information around nutrition and healthy eating. They also create user-friendly content on their YouTube channel including step-by-step recipes, how to shop on a budget, meal planning and how to maintain a healthy diet.