Our Work
From Wishaw to
From Wishaw to
the harbour
Four programmes reaching workers where they are — with information that actually fits their lives.
The practical work of Vibrant Health Advocates - Onyx happens in community halls in Wishaw, on the quayside at harbour facilities up and down Scotland's west coast, in the pages of the resources we leave with welfare officers and union reps, and in the quiet one-to-one conversations our volunteers have with workers who have a question they have never felt comfortable asking a doctor or an employer.
We develop occupational health information materials from scratch — working with workers, not just about them — and we distribute them through every channel that actually reaches this community: fishing associations, port welfare services, GP waiting rooms in North Lanarkshire, and online for the growing number of workers who want digital access. We run drop-in sessions roughly monthly in Wishaw and maintain relationships with contacts at harbours and fish markets so that workers who need a conversation can find one.
We are not a clinical service, and we are clear about that. What we offer is the information layer that helps workers make sense of their health, understand what is normal and what is not, know their rights, and find the right door to knock on when something is wrong. In a sector where occupational health support can be patchy and where many workers feel invisible to mainstream services, that information layer makes a real difference — and we have the feedback, the long-term relationships, and the returning visitors to our sessions to prove it.
A comprehensive occupational health information programme covering the most common physical risks faced by fishing and port workers.
Know Your Hazards produces and distributes plain-language guides covering musculoskeletal strain, vibration exposure, noise hazards, cold and wet working conditions, diesel exhaust fumes, and manual handling risks specific to harbour and vessel environments. Materials are available in print for workers who prefer a physical resource and digitally for those who want to share them. The programme is updated annually in consultation with occupational health professionals and workers themselves to ensure it reflects current working conditions at Scottish harbours.
A targeted awareness initiative helping workers recognise early symptoms of occupational ill-health and navigate the path to appropriate medical support.
Many of the conditions most common among fishing and port workers — including hearing loss, chronic back and joint problems, respiratory conditions, and dermatitis — develop slowly and are often dismissed until they become significantly debilitating. Early Signs, Early Action provides clear symptom checklists, guidance on when to see a GP, information about occupational health referral routes, and signposting to specialist services. Drop-in sessions are held in Wishaw and at selected harbour welfare points, staffed by trained volunteers who can talk through concerns without clinical pressure.
A mental health and wellbeing strand recognising the psychological pressures of a working life split between home in Wishaw and long, isolating hours on the coast.
Fishing and port work carries significant mental health pressures that are rarely discussed openly: long absences from family, financial insecurity tied to seasonal and weather-dependent income, the social isolation of vessel work, and a workplace culture that can make it hard to ask for help. Wellbeing at Sea and Shore provides information about mental health support services, normalises conversations about psychological wellbeing in a way that resonates with this community, and connects workers with peer support networks and NHS Lanarkshire resources. Printed pocket cards, community talks, and a dedicated section of our website form the core of this strand.
Practical guidance helping workers understand their occupational health rights and navigate employment, welfare, and health systems effectively.
Many harbour workers — particularly those in self-employed fishing roles or casual port employment — are uncertain about their occupational health rights, what they are entitled to claim if injured or made ill by their work, and how to access support without jeopardising their income or their relationships with employers. Rights and Routes produces accessible guides to health and safety legislation as it applies to fishing and port workers, benefits entitlements for those unable to work due to occupational ill-health, and the complaints and reporting processes available when workplace health standards fall short. We run annual information sessions in Wishaw and maintain an up-to-date online resource library.
If you work in fishing or port operations and travel from Wishaw or the wider Lanarkshire area, we want to hear from you. Get in touch to find out how our programmes can help you.
Get in touch