Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training for Hackney and City of London Councils

We’ve trained 1,850 staff and volunteers in Hackney and City of London, enhancing their skills in MECC. Our programme has significantly improved their ability to support public health and community wellbeing.

For over five years, we have worked with the London Borough of Hackney and City of London councils to deliver Making Every Contact Count (MECC) behaviour change training.

Beginning in 2019, the training programme has seen us complete over 200 sessions, delivered to over 1,900 staff and volunteers. Participants have come from a range of roles and backgrounds including the concil workforce, public health practitioners, maintenance officers, and social care staff.

MECC courses have equipped participants with the skills to foster meaningful conversations and promote health and wellbeing in their respective fields, with interventions tailored to various roles.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we responded to the urgent need for specialised support by developing targeted training for Emergency Helpline staff, primary care teams, and community workers involved in vaccine engagement efforts. Additionally, we launched a Train the Trainer programme specifically for community champions in the third sector, enabling them to disseminate the MECC approach throughout local communities effectively.

The impact of our MECC training programme has been recognised through the renewal of our contract with City and Hackney following a competitive re-tendering process, highlighting the effectiveness of our training in enhancing public health practice and improving community outcomes.

To support your organisation’s goals, we offer a range of Conversational Skills Training options, including courses on brief interventions, motivational interviewing, and the MECC approach. These programmes provide essential skills for having impactful health conversations and driving behaviour change. Discover the difference our training can make in your organisation and how you can achieve greater impact in your community.

It has been a pleasure to work with the SMG team, who are proactive, responsive to our needs and professional. SMG were quick to suggest new ways of working in light of the Covid-19 pandemic which meant our project didn't lose momentum and continued to deliver quality training virtually, during this challenging time.
Commissioner
Hackney Council