Behaviour change for health

MAP of Health Behaviour Change Learning Programme

"Definitely the most worthwhile and applicable training I've taken part in since I started my role."

MAP stands for Motivation, Action and Prompts.  We know that for a behaviour change to occur and to be maintained, we need to:

• Have motivation to make the change;
• Be taking action that will result in the change; and
• Be aware of the prompts and cues which help and hinder us to make the change and to stick to it.

The MAP Learning Programme aims to equip all Health, Care and 3^rd Sector staff with the knowledge, skills and confidence to talk to people about behaviour change and to deliver theory-based interventions which are person-centred and will promote positive health and wellbeing outcomes.

Watch this short video for a summary of the MAP of Health Behaviour Change Learning Programme. The MAP of Health Behaviour Change Animation on Vimeo

The MAP of Health Behaviour Change Animation on Vimeo

You can also download the MAP brochure for more detailed information.

Full MAP Learning Programmes:

This NES module is an introduction to the MAP approach to behaviour change for health and wellbeing. It is available to all, and is especially relevant to any health, care and 3^rd Sector practitioner who has contact with people during the course of their work. The module can be used as a standalone resource as an introduction to behaviour change, or as a foundation to the skilled level MAP Workshops.

Link to the eLearning Module

For more information or to register your interest in any of the below training programmes, please contact the NES MAP Team by e-mailing: Psychology@nes.scot.nhs.uk

CORE MAP Workshops and Learning Resources

These skills-based workshops and resources are available to all health, social care and 3^rd sector practitioners who have completed the e-learning module. These workshops offer the opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills, and experience in using the MAP approach in your area of work. 

The workshops are delivered by the NES MAP Team, or by local accredited MAP Trainers who have been through the Training for Trainers (T4T) programme. These workshops support attendees to apply MAP principles across a wide range of health and care delivery contexts, health conditions, staff groups and population groups.

NES delivered CORE MAP workshops take place virtually (using Microsoft Teams) over two 3.5-hour sessions over two weeks. The next workshops will take place on:

Please click this link to view the CORE MAP dates and application link.

MAP Practitioner Coaching Sessions

These skills-based workshops and resources are available to all health, social care and 3^rd sector practitioners who have completed the NES CORE MAP programme. These workshops offer the opportunity to enhance your knowledge, skills, and experience in using the MAP approach through coaching you to meaningfully embed the MAP skills within your existing practice. 

NES delivered MAP Coaching workshops take place virtually (using Microsoft Teams) over one 3.5-hour session.

• Wednesday, 11^th June 2025 at 09.30 - 13.00

• September date - TBC
• Monday 15th December 2025 - 09.30 - 13.00
• Wednesday 25th February 2026 - 13:00 - 16:30

MAP Training for Trainers (T4T) Programme:

The NES MAP Team train, co-facilitate, observe and coach local trainers to ensure they have the competence and confidence to deliver the MAP content to a high standard while maintaining flexibility and adding their own training style.  

NES delivered MAP T4T workshops take place virtually (using Microsoft Teams) over one 3.5-hour session. The next workshop will take place on:

• Wednesday, 21st of May 2025 - 9:30 - 13:30.
• Wednesday, 27th of August 2025 - 9:30 - 13:30.
• Wednesday, 12th of November 2025 - 9:30 - 13:30.

 MAP Trainer Network Session

For those that have completed the T4T programme, the NES MAP Trainer Network session provides the opportunity to meet with the NES MAP Team and fellow MAP Trainers to discuss, ask questions, reflect upon and further develop their knowledge and skills in delivering MAP Training. This session also provides the opportunity to hear from the NES MAP Team any new projects or developments with the MAP programmes.

NES delivered MAP Trainer Network sessions take place virtually (using Microsoft Teams) over one 1.5-hour session. The next sessions will take place on:

• Wednesday, 30th of July 2025 - 14:00 - 15:30
• Wednesday, 31st of October 2025 - 13:30 - 15:00

Healthy Beginnings: MAP of Health Behaviour Change

These skills-based workshops and learning resources have been specifically developed to support practitioners working in Early Years services to support families in making changes which will lead to positive health and wellbeing outcomes for their children.  Created in response to the NHS Health Scotland Standards for the Delivery of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Weight Management Services for Children and Young People (2019), and in collaboration with NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council, the programme focuses on:

Person centred care and communication skills which support those working in Early Years Services to have sensitive conversations with families and carers about child healthy weight and other related behaviour change.

How to use the MAP of Health Behaviour Change approach to signpost to Tier 2 and 3 services, and/or to support the family directly to make behaviour change which will improve health and wellbeing.

Healthy Beginnings: MAP Workshops dates for 2025/26 are in the process of being confirmed. We will be added to this site alongside the flyer and application link once the dates are confirmed.

3^rd Sector NHS and Care Partner Organisations

If you work with a 3^rd Sector organisation in partnership with a Health Board or Local Authority and are interested in attending the full MAP Learning Programme, or in arranging training for your staff, please contact us via the NES Psychology Team: Psychology@nes.scot.nhs.uk.

Behaviour Change for Wellbeing

The MAP approach can be used to support ourselves and others to make changes which will benefit our own health and wellbeing. We have collaborated with the National Wellbeing Hub to provide a guide to putting all of the self-care hints and tips into action. Watch the video and download our MAP Planner from the National Wellbeing Hub now.

Using MAP for Wellbeing - a quick planning tool to use at work and at home - National Wellbeing Hub

What our MAP training is based on:

The MAP training was developed using the Scottish Government’s Health Behaviour Change Competency Framework, which details MAP as a way to support others to change behaviour, with permission from the authors Professors Diane Dixon and Marie Johnston. The original report is detailed here.

Here is a more recent publication of their work: Dixon, D., & Johnston, M. (2020). MAP: A mnemonic for mapping BCTs to three routes to behaviour change. British Journal of Health Psychology, 25(4), 1086-1101. Available at: MAP: A mnemonic for mapping BCTs to three routes to behaviour change - Dixon - 2020 - British Journal of Health Psychology - Wiley Online Library