Making Every Contact Count

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is about using the power of short conversations to help people to stay well, access the support they need and cope better in these challenging times.

Every day, staff and volunteers in Waltham Forest talk to hundreds of local people dealing with a wide variety of issues and challenges. These conversations are opportunities to help people to deal with their challenges and improve their health and wellbeing.

If we know how to recognise the issues a person may be facing, and how to have a brief and meaningful chat with them, we can gradually increase people’s confidence and motivation to make changes to improve their lives.

There are lots of people in Waltham Forest whose health and wellbeing could be better. Some of our residents aren’t living as long as they should and are spending more of their lives in ill health than is necessary. 

In Waltham Forest many people face challenges in relation to their health: 

• 23% of people aged 16 and over live with poor mental health, which is significantly higher than the England average of 17%.
• Around one in five reception-age children and two in five Year 6 children are overweight or obese.
• 53% of adults in Waltham Forest are overweight or obese.
• 21% of Waltham Forest residents aren’t physically active, significantly higher than London and England averages.
• 84% of dependent drinkers are not accessing support or treatment.

There are some significant problems around wider issues that affect our wellbeing:

• In 14 of Waltham Forest's 20 wards, child poverty is higher than the England average.
• 13 wards have higher rates of older people living in poverty than the English average.
• Waltham Forest has the third highest rate of fuel poverty in London.14% of households have bills above the national average that take them below the poverty line.

MECC is about using the conversations we are already having to deliver appropriate support and advice to help local people tackle these issues and improve their health and wellbeing. 

A brief chat with someone could benefit them in numerous ways. It might:

• give them the chance to talk about what’s on their mind;
• highlight some helpful information;
• build their confidence to make a change that they are already thinking about; and
• connect them with a local service.

A free 90-minute course is available to help you play your role in this important initiative. It will help you:

• reflect on what you do well and highlight any challenges and areas for development;
• understand MECC principles and use the 3As model for conversations (Ask-Advise-Assist); and
• introduce resources that support good conversations, including signposting information.

To arrange bespoke sessions for your team, email meccsupport@smgateway.co.uk.