The London Borough of Ealing’s Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training programme has become the latest to receive accreditation from RSPH. 

The programme provides those working locally with the public in a range of roles with the latest evidence-based information on what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and equips them with the skills and confidence to signpost others to sources of health information and wellbeing services.

Ealing’s Health and Wellbeing strategy aims to increase the use of the MECC approach to support the health of their residents. Their aim is that residents should be physically and mentally healthy, active and independent.

RSPH has accredited the training which supports this strategy by upskilling workers in contact with the public either face-to-face or by telephone – such as those working in NHS services, the local authority or voluntary sector. 

The programme includes information and statistics on preventable ill-health, the latest public health guidance, behaviour change theories, the barriers to making healthy lifestyle choices, how to take the opportunity to have a brief healthy lifestyle conversation with others and signposting options to healthy lifestyle services.

The course is highly participative and trainees learn from each other as they practice the course concepts. RSPH’s detailed review confirmed that Ealing’s MECC programme follows national guidelines and provides those working with the public with the skills and confidence to have a brief conversation about healthy lifestyle behaviours and signpost to local and national services.  

Shirley Cramer CBE, Chief Executive of RSPH, said: “Everyone deserves equal opportunity to improve their own health, and we commend the London Borough of Ealing for promoting the health and wellbeing of its residents through the provision of this training. This programme will help to support the health of those in the local community in a practical and tangible way. The course joins a diverse range of programmes from public and private sector organisations, demonstrating best practice in health improvement within our accreditation service.”

Binda Rai, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services at Ealing Council, added: “This accreditation is an endorsement of our approach to training staff to equip them to have brief conversations with the people they work with, to help make small but meaningful changes to their lifestyle that could potentially have a major impact on their health.”

Find out more about the benefits of RSPH accreditation here.