What is Making Every Contact Count (MECC)?

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach encourages healthcare and frontline staff to use everyday interactions as opportunities to support individuals in making positive changes to their physical and mental health. The initiative focuses on brief, evidence-based conversations that can lead to healthier lifestyles.​

The MECC approach is built on the idea that small, consistent interventions, such as discussing smoking cessation, healthy eating, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and mental wellbeing, can collectively significantly impact public health. It empowers staff to engage in these conversations confidently and appropriately, regardless of their professional role.​

MECC empowers staff to:

• Recognise opportunities to talk about health and wellbeing
• Have meaningful, person-centred conversations
• Signpost individuals to local services and resources for support

Many trained staff also report making positive changes in their own lives and influencing their friends and families.

What MECC training is available? 

1. Vital 5 MECC Training
Our bespoke half-day Vital 5 Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training (3.5 hours) equips staff with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to have effective behaviour change conversations focused on the Vital 5: quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, healthy eating and exercise, healthy blood pressure, and mental wellbeing. Watch our introduction video on the Vital 5. Participants will learn how to support individuals and signpost them to appropriate local services.
Available both virtually and in person.

2. MECC for Loneliness and Isolation
This 3-hour training session helps staff develop practical communication skills to engage others in meaningful conversations about loneliness and isolation.
Learn how to identify signs, open supportive dialogue, and connect individuals to relevant resources.
Available both virtually and face-to-face

Make every contact count, take the first step—sign up today.

The Tower Hamlets Community Education Provider Network (THCEPN) offers resources and training to support MECC implementation.

If you or your colleagues haven’t completed MECC training or would like more information, you can visit the THCEPN MECC page