A community project offering free training and support is coming to Newton Aycliffe this month. Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is about using every day conversations to support the health and wellbeing of others. A brief, simple chat can become something meaningful, helping those you know, or are yet to meet, to make positive changes and better their wellbeing. Delivered by Wellbeing for Life and Durham County Council, there will be ten sessions across four venues in Newton Aycliffe – bringing together a whole community to create a future where we can find support in each other.

The upcoming sessions are:
• Aycliffe Leisure Centre, Beveridge Arcade, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4EH – from 10.30am to midday on Thursday 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th September
• Aycliffe Leisure Centre, Beveridge Arcade, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4EH – from 5.30pm to 7pm on Wednesday 9th and 23rd September
• Pioneering Care Centre, Carers Way, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4SF – from 10.30am to midday on Friday 11th September
• Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre, Burn Lane, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4HT – from 1.30pm to 3pm on Tuesday 15th September
If you can’t make these sessions, don’t worry. There are online options available at later dates:
• MECC with an introduction to Gambling Harms – from 10.30am to midday on Friday 25th September and Tuesday 6th October
• MECC – from 10.30am to midday on Wednesday 7th October

There will also be pop-up sessions across the local community during September, offering residents the chance to walk by, stop for a chat, and find out more.
Do you want to get involved? You can sign up to register at Let’s Talk County Durham.