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Training
MECC is an approach to behaviour change that utilises day to day interactions that individuals and organisations are able to have wither others to encourage positive changes that can influence our health and wellbeing. We have the opportunity in the North East and North Cumbria to upskill individuals to join the wider Public Health workforce and support us in delivering key messages to improve the health of our communities. The training is free to access across our region and can take place face to face or virtually.
MECC Core Training (1½ hours)
This training programme is accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health
Accredited Logo for the Royal Society for Public Health
Learning Aims & Objectives

  • Acquire an understanding of where MECC came from, what it is and isn’t
  • Understand the policy and context underpinning MECC
  • Define ‘Health Inequalities’ and review recent relevant data
  • Examine and discuss theories of Behaviour Change
  • Develop confidence in using The 3A’s model within the MECC approach
  • Differentiate between ‘Brief’ and ‘Very Brief’ interventions
  • Assess the impact and benefits of MECC
  • Explain potential barriers to having a MECC conversation
The objectives of MECC enable staff to understand how MECC fits into their role and impact with an awareness of core elements of MECC i.e. smoking, healthy weight, alcohol. This is underpinned with advice on current guidance to follow a healthy lifestyle then follows advice on how to start (or not start) a conversation on health enabling a member of staff to provide information on local services of support.
MECC Train the Trainer (3½ hours)
The training programme will support you in:


  • Introducing the MECC Trainer role
  • Understanding the MECC content
  • Delivering MECC content to targeted audiences with support of a bespoke delivery plan
  • Acquiring general training skills, tips and advice including virtual delivery or return to face to face
  • Outlining how to use the new ICS Training App to support your delivery
  • Introducing supporting materials and signposting features through the MECC Gateway website
The MECC Train the Trainer will be delivered over 3 ½ hours and on completion will enable you to deliver the Core MECC training to your colleagues, organisations and wider community.

During the session participants will be taken through Core MECC training as a participant to build familiarity with the content.

What is Connect 5?
Connect 5 is a workforce training programme that has been created to upskill non-mental health specialists to better understand and feel confident to have everyday conversations about mental health and wellbeing in their everyday encounters.
The WHAT IF of Connect 5
Improve mental wellbeing by changing the way we have conversations about it
The HOW of Connect 5
Helping people to improve their understanding of mental wellbeing by working together
The WHY of Connect 5
Understanding and accepting mental wellbeing as an everyday experience which everyone has the skills to understand and change
How does it work?
Connect 5 is a three-part programme which is undertaken in three separate modules. Each module is three hours long and can take place face to face or virtually. The programme underpins the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach to support how to best use these skills and local signposting for frontline staff. You can choose how many modules you do or if you just require module 1, 2 or 3.
Module 1 - Brief Mental Wellbeing Advice
Aim of module
  • Support you to have conversations in which you can suggest ways a person can act to improve mental wellbeing
  • By the end of the module you will be able to:
  • Use public health models to provide insight into what we can do to feel better
  • Describe and use the skills of having a connected conversation
  • Locate mental wellbeing services and resources in your area
Who is this for?
Anyone who has a role that involves helping conversations with the public such as frontline staff members and the public
Module 2 - Brief Mental Wellbeing Intervention
Aim of module
  • Support you to have conversations in which you and the person you are talking to develop a shared understanding of that person’s mental wellbeing needs
  • By the end of the module you will be able to:
  • Use the 5 Areas model within a connected conversation
  • Know when a person needs more than self-help (including people having thoughts of suicide)
  • Locate mental health and wellbeing resources in your area
Who is this for?
Anyone who has a role that allows them to engage in a brief intervention such as health advocates, line managers, Quality Health Safety and Environment staff, human resources staff or occupational health advisors
Module 3 - Extended Mental Wellbeing Intervention
Aim of module
  • Support you to have conversations that empower a person to make changes that address their mental wellbeing needs
  • By the end of the module you will be able to:
  • Use the skills of coaching for effective change within a connected conversation
  • Use 6 self-help tools to support yourself and others to break a vicious cycle and make a change feel better
  • Explain how these 6 self-help tools, when embedded in everyday life, are skills for maintaining wellbeing
Who is this for?
Anyone whose role enables them to in engage in brief interventions over a period of time such as a health advocate, line manager, human resources staff and occupational health advisor
Feedback
Here are some comments from various people who have attended our training sessions:
“Excellent overview of MECC with positive and proactive guidance.”
“Good content in relation to advice about physical activity and alcohol consumption with the video example of a good conversation being useful.”
“All relevant, not overwhelmed with information. Good to know and not expected to know all the answers.”
“I’m leaving with some ideas which may never have crossed my mind.”
“Really good to see the training we will roll out, being delivered as an attendee then getting lots of helpful pointers to deliver it successfully.”
“I gained a better understanding of MECC and how it can be applied in any setting, whether in the workplace or personal life.”
“The insight it has gave me on how many aspects of health, wellbeing, self-confidence and access to opportunity are linked was eye opening.”
Boost Learning Academy
If you are interested in local MECC training opportunities, click here to visit the Boost Learning Academy.
North East And North Cumbria NHS
MECC Case Studies
We have a variety of MECC case studies you can look at to see where MECC is helping in the communicty. Click the below for more information.
MECC Case Studies