Big Lunch at Ballymena Livestock Market celebrates and supports farming families

Event organisers from NHSCT and Ballymena Livestock Mart with representatives from the various organisations who took part in the Big Lunch and Information Day at Ballymena Livestock Market

Farming families across County Antrim were welcomed to a day of connection, support, and appreciation as the Northern Health and Social Care Trust once again partnered with Ballymena Livestock Market to host a successful Big Lunch and Information Event.

Returning bigger and better this year, the event attracted large numbers from the rural community, offering free lunches, professional services, and practical health information tailored to the unique needs of farmers.

Barbers from Laird Law Male Grooming, busy cutting hair at the Big Lunch and Information Event

The day featured a diverse range of stallholders and contributors, including Farm Families Health Checks, Ulster Farmers’ Union, Health and Safety Executive, Rural Support, Dietetics, District Nursing, and Grassmen.

Attendees were also treated to grooming services, with two pop-up barbers on-site offering complimentary haircuts!

A key highlight of the event was the distribution of one hundred free lunches, provided as a token of appreciation to the hardworking men and women who sustain Northern Ireland’s agricultural sector.

Yvonne Carson, Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager and Leah Glass, Locality Lead, Health and Wellbeing Team, NHSCT pictured with this Bushmills farmer who received a free lunch at the Big Lunch and Information Event

Supporting the Backbone of Rural Communities

Yvonne Carson, Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, highlighted the importance of recognising and supporting the region’s farming families.

“Farming families are the backbone of rural communities. We realise farmers work long hours in often challenging conditions to provide high quality food for our tables as well as looking after and protecting the countryside,” Yvonne stated.

“As a Health and Social Care Trust, which has a large rural and farming population, we want farmers to know how much we value and support them. So, this event is really about giving something back. This year we were delighted to have two pop-up barbers offering free haircuts as well as other colleagues who have a strong farming/rural remit.”

Mary Kane, Assistant Clinical Services Manager and District Nursing Sisters, Aoife Quinn, Laura McNeilly and Katrina Dolan with Derek Lough, CEO Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster

Helen McAuley, Senior Nurse FFHCP discussing blood pressure results with a farmer at the Big Lunch and Information Event at Ballymena Livestock Market

The sense of community and value extended beyond services. For many, the event provided a rare opportunity to take a break, connect with others in similar circumstances, and access health and wellbeing support in an informal and familiar setting.

Community Spirit at the Mart

Roberta Moody, owner of the Ringside Café, emphasised the positive impact of the gathering:

“Our last event was a great success and was talked about for a long time afterwards so it’s great to be running the Big Lunch again today with the other contributors. It provides an opportunity for farmers to access a range of services and information while at the mart.”

District Nursing Angela Waide chatting to a local farmer at the Big Lunch and Information Event

NHSCT staff, Jill Stewart, Pubic Health Dietitian catching up with Angela Waide, District Nursing Sister and Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach

Echoing this sentiment, a spokesperson from Ballymena Mart expressed their pride in supporting the initiative:

“Once again we’re delighted to be hosting this event in partnership with Northern Health and Social Care Trust. It’s good to see so many smiling faces and to know our farming families feel valued.”

An Ongoing Commitment

The event forms part of a wider strategy by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to reach and engage rural populations, ensuring that essential healthcare, mental health support, and wellbeing services are not only available but easily accessible to those in farming and agricultural communities.

Alexandra Wallace from HSENI  chats to local farmers at the Big Lunch and Information Event

Nurses Leah and Caitlin chatting to farmers at  the Big Lunch and Information Event

Helen McAuley, Senior Nurse FFHCP with Doreen Bolton, Locality Lead, Health and Wellbeing Team, NHSCT getting ready to check blood pressures at the Big Lunch and Information Event

As the agricultural community continues to face pressures from economic uncertainty, mental health challenges, and demanding work schedules, events like the Big Lunch serve as a critical reminder of the power of community outreach and public health collaboration.