Making Every Contact Count (MECC)

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) fits with the NHS Forward View and NHS long term plan with its preventative approach and is about taking opportunities to raise the issue of healthy lifestyles and signposting if appropriate.

Starting the conversation with someone around changes to their lifestyle can be difficult. MECC training is an approach that utilises the millions of day-to-day interactions we have with each other and our community to deliver consistent and concise healthy lifestyle information. The training will build on your strengths and assets as a good listener and motivator, giving you the confidence to help facilitate change in a 'person' or as a 'community centred approach'.

Who the course is for

This course is designed for all those working within health and social care who work for an employer commissioned by us.

Learning method

MECC can be delivered both face to face and virtually depending on the preferences of the team.

What you will learn

MECC aims to provide people with the tools and confidence using the three A's model (Ask, Assist, ACT) to begin those conversations and is an approach that can be used by anyone who meets the general public. It will help people understand the role they play in delivering brief advice and the importance of this in helping people facilitate change. It is about empowering people to make changes to their lifestyle not telling them how to live their lives. MECC enables the opportunistic delivery of consistent and concise healthy lifestyle information and enables individuals to engage in conversations about their health at scale across organisations and populations.

Course benefits

Evidence suggests that the broad adoption of the MECC approach by people and organisations across health and care could potentially have a significant impact on the health of our population.

Course duration

An hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.

How to book

To book this course, see Wellbeing For Life - Support in County Durham to help you make positive changes in your life.

Level 1: Making Every Contact Count (MECC) and Smoking Cessation/Very Brief Advice (VBA) Training

These MECC sessions are delivered by Smoke Free Durham and will enhance your understanding of the risks associated with smoking and the benefits of quitting. Information will be provided on how to engage and motivate a smoker to start their quit journey, the support options available (including information on vapes) and how to refer into the County Durham Stop Smoking Service.

All sessions are free and delivered virtually, via Microsoft Teams.