A NEW training programme is being rolled out by North Yorkshire County Council to help staff and volunteers improve residents’ health.

The Making Every Contact Count (MECC) programme is a national initiative supported by the council and Public Health England.

It aims to equip council staff and volunteers working for its partner organisations with the skills and knowledge to have conversations about health with residents across the county.

The training focuses on five key health topics: smoking, alcohol, mental wellbeing, physical activity and healthy eating.

More than 1,000 County Council staff have already been trained in MECC to offer health advice to residents and suggest ways to seek further support, if requested.

Councillor David Chance, executive member for stronger communities and public health, explained: “We know that 40 per cent of all deaths are caused by the way we behave, such as smoking, drinking too much or not getting enough exercise.

“Making small changes can have a huge impact on a person’s health.”