Beyond MECC
Healthy Dialogues is working with Merton Council and local partners to refresh and strengthen the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach across the borough.
The programme will help staff across health, social care, voluntary and community services feel confident using everyday conversations to support residents’ health and wellbeing.
By embedding prevention into routine interactions, the programme supports Merton’s ambition to go Beyond MECC and create a system-wide culture of prevention.
Understanding local needs
The project will begin with a review of existing MECC activity across Merton. We will work with a local Task and Finish Group and system partners to:
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review current MECC training and resources
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identify gaps in workforce skills and confidence
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understand how staff already support prevention in their roles
This insight will help shape a refreshed MECC approach that reflects local priorities, workforce needs and the diversity of Merton’s communities.
Co-designing training and tools
Working with partners, we will co-design practical training and resources that make prevention conversations easier and more relevant for different roles.
This includes:
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piloting refreshed MECC training sessions
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developing a Beyond MECC toolkit
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creating practical conversation prompts and behaviour change tools
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providing guidance on local support services and signposting
These resources will help staff integrate prevention conversations naturally into their everyday work.
Building a sustainable approach
To support long-term impact, the programme will also include:
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a Train the Trainer programme enabling local staff to deliver MECC training across their organisations
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reflection sessions where participants can share experiences and strengthen their skills
Together, these activities will help build a confident, prevention-focused workforce and support the continued embedding of prevention across Merton’s health and care system.