Have you ever met someone who was able to chat to you in a way that is clear and makes you feel listened to, and helps you to see a way forward with a problem that’s been bugging you for a while?

Clinical research has been done by the NHS to help GP’s & Health Professionals adapt the way they speak to us, to help them improve their skills to positively influence people, to encourage them to act and change behaviour for themselves.

These new methods are based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, it’s basically asking the right question in the right way, rather than ‘telling people’. It utilises the millions of day-to-day interactions that the public has, such as fitness instructors, hairdressers, volunteers and those providing a one to one service. It helps them to support the people they come into contact with to have positive changes to their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

I believe that it is imperative that professions now help to skill up the community in new ways. The level of ignorance about basic things is widespread and more than has been assumed. People need to know how to help themselves and their families who are experiencing challenges to their health and wellbeing and the things that impact public health. If we want preventative approaches to get to the front line of every day life, this is a good and obvious way to start.

Recently I was able to facilitate the running of local courses to people who live and work in a large village. The training increased confidence and capabilities around having these healthy conversations for change. For mothers struggling with teenage anxiety, people trying to lose weight, change drinking habits or take more exercise. These things people try in vain often to change.

… and it’s amazing what difference this switch of approach makes.

‘It gives specific tools and examples, an approach and appropriate way to help a person to help themselves without pressure – helping them to help themselves ‘ School Governor