This training course is being held virtually via Microsoft Teams and is available to anyone living or working within the Plymouth community.

This accredited* training develops your skills and confidence in supporting people to improve their own health and wellbeing. The main focus is ‘healthy conversation skills’ – sensitive listening and asking – which can help people to change their behaviours. This course is suitable for all.

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is about using our everyday encounters with other people to support healthier lifestyles. MECC is not about telling other people ‘what to do’ - and you’re not being expected to do extra work. MECC is based on having brief empathetic conversations - which can help support a person’s motivation to change.

The training consists of 1 x 3 hour sessions, and some simple e-learning modules (of about 90 minutes duration) which are undertaken after the course in your own time.

*Training accredited as “Introduction to MECC” by the Royal Society for Public Health, via Public Health England and Health Education England (Wessex)).

Learning outcomes

The session will equip participants with a range of specific MECC skills that will enable them to deliver MECC confidently and consistently well. At the end of the session, participants should be able to:

• Understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and their role in health improvement;

• Identify key messages (on smoking, healthy eating/healthy weight, responsible drinking, physical activity, and mental health and emotional wellbeing);

• Use communication skills that will enable them to raise an issue, open up a conversation and assess a person's readiness to change the health-related behaviour;

• Use a range of health behaviour change techniques (including basic motivational interviewing techniques);

• Deliver brief advice and brief interventions;

• Signpost clients to local healthy lifestyle services & support; and

• Feel confident that they can apply the training in practice.

Who can attend?

• MECC is for everyone (aged 16 or over) – who have contact with the public and who wish to develop and practice their skills in this important area

• Individuals, carers, veterans & serving personnel, community groups, teams or organisations, including those working or caring in community, voluntary, health & social care services & education

• Anyone living or working in or around the Plymouth area.

Please note that any emails from Eventbrite may go into your junk email so please do check for your confirmation email and e-Learning package.

This is a dedicated link for your person and cannot be used by another person. If you are unable to attend, please let us know in the first instance.

To attend this course you must have a camera and have it turned on throughout the duration of the 3hr online discussion for the comfort and safety of you, the other delegates and the trainers. We have the right to turn you away if you do not have your camera on. (laptop/computer recommended for more comfortable viewing and participation)

How much does MECC cost?

Training is delivered free of charge through Microsoft Teams.

Cancellation Policy:

When delivering training our staff should always be treated with respect. Some of the content in our training sessions can be challenging, but our trainers are there to support delegates to explore these challenges together. Our trainers reserve the right to end training delivery at any point if delegates are not behaving respectfully and kindly.

If the workshop is cancelled by Livewell Southwest, you will be offered a place on a course on an alternative date.

If you have any further queries please email livewell.workplacehealth@nhs.net.

eMECC (Making Every Contact Count) - Wellbeing Team