Wellbeing

Objective:

To equip care home staff with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to promote their own wellbeing and their colleagues and residents as part of their role as Health Protection Champions. This includes using everyday conversations to encourage small, positive lifestyle changes, raising awareness of cancer prevention and screening, and supporting a culture of health, resilience, and open communication within care homes.

Why Wellbeing Matters in Care Homes

Working in care can be physically and emotionally demanding. When we spend so much energy looking after others, it is easy to neglect our own health. Over time, small habits such as smoking on breaks, relying on alcohol to unwind, or skipping meals can build up and affect both physical and mental health.

Taking time to reflect on how we are feeling, and making small, positive changes, can help us feel at our best for ourselves and for those we care for. Even simple actions such as going for a short walk, swapping a snack, or taking five minutes to breathe can make a difference.

Being well helps to maintain a strong workforce, which benefits everyone.

Our health is our greatest wealth!

Champion Training: Making Every Contact Count (MECC)

What is MECC?

MECC is a public health approach that uses everyday conversations as opportunities to encourage healthier choices and wellbeing. It is not about lecturing or giving medical advice. It is about having kind, supportive chats that can make people stop, reflect, and maybe take one small step forward.

Why it matters in care homes

Staff wellbeing directly impacts the quality of care given to residents.
Small lifestyle changes can boost energy, improve mental health, and reduce risk of illness.
Champions are trusted voices, making conversations safe, supportive, and non-judgmental.

Key topics covered

Smoking cessation
Alcohol awareness
Healthy eating
Physical activity
Mental wellbeing and resilience

The MECC 3A's Approach - covered in more detail at the end of this section.

Ask - Start a gentle conversation using open questions such as "How are you feeling after your shifts lately"
Advise - Share simple, non-judgemental tips such as "You do not need a gym, taking the stairs or short walks makes a big difference"
Act - Encourage and assure. Where helpful, signpost to further support or resources

Champion Role in Practice

As a care home wellbeing champion, you:

Use everyday opportunities to check in with colleagues.
Are approachable, positive, and non-judgmental.
Model healthy behaviours where possible.
Help create a culture where wellbeing conversations are normal and supportive.
Remember that small steps, repeated often, create lasting change.

Cancer Champions in Care Homes

Cancer Champions are staff or community members trained to raise awareness of cancer prevention and early detection. Their role is not to diagnose, but to encourage conversations and promote action such as:

Reminding staff and residents of the importance of attending routine screening such as bowel, breast and cervical screening.
Encouraging healthy lifestyle choices that reduce cancer risk including healthy eating, reducing smoking and alcohol, and physical activity.
Knowing where to signpost colleagues, residents, or families to trusted cancer information and support.
Creating a safe space to talk about concerns, fears, or barriers around screening and symptoms.

By linking Health Protection Champions and Cancer Champions, care homes can strengthen both staff and resident health, supporting prevention, early action, and resilience.

If you are interested in becoming a Cancer Champion, visit the link in the Resources Section below.

Five Ways to Wellbeing

Champions can encourage colleagues and residents to:

Connect - Build positive relationships with others.
Be Active - Find small ways to move more.
Take Notice - Pause, reflect, and be mindful.
Keep Learning - Try something new or share a skill.
Give - Acts of kindness build wellbeing for everyone.

Summary for Champions

Wellbeing and health conversations do not need to be formal.
Ask, Advise, Act can be done in a couple of minutes.
Support colleagues and residents in making small, positive steps.
Promote cancer awareness and screening as part of everyday wellbeing.
Model behaviours and celebrate successes.

MECC Conversation Guide - 3A's Approach

Ask: initiate a brief conversation by asking about someone's lifestyle or if there are any changes they'd like to make. Use Open Questions:

"How are you finding your energy levels lately?"
"What helps you switch off after a long shift?"
"Have you thought about anything you'd like to do differently for your health?"
"Has anyone else been worried about your health, (your partner, wife, husband or children)?"

Advise: Offer appropriate non-judgemental advice based on what they share.

"You don't need to join a gym, small things like taking the stairs, parking the car further away really add up."
"If you're craving something sweet, swapping to fruit or yoghurt can give you the energy without the sugar drop."
"Some people find alternating alcoholic drinks with water or soft drinks help them feel better the next day."
"Taking even five minutes for yourself, deep breathing, fresh air or listening to music can really help."

Act: Provide support by signposting, sharing resources or referring them to relevant services.

Offer encouragement or reassurance:

"You're already doing well by thinking about this".

Signpost to services that provide support and help.

Remember to offer encouragement or reassurance:

"You're already doing well by thinking about this".
"There are lots of good services that can support, would you like me to share resources that might help".

Useful Links and Resources:
The MECC Wales Website:MECC // Public Health Network :: Home
Become a Cancer Champion: Cancer Champions | Let's Get People Talking About Cancer

Sign Posting Links:
https://pthb.nhs.wales/staying-healthy/smoking/
https://www.helpmequit.wales
https://alcoholchange.org.uk/
https://kaleidoscope68.org/services/kaleidoscope-powys/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guide
https://111.wales.nhs.uk/lifestylewellbeing/healthyeating/
https://letsgopowys.co.uk/
www.melo.cymru
https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/
https://www.powysmentalhealth.org.uk/tackling-stigma-beyond-medical/five-ways-to-wellbeing/