The importance of trusted relationships in behaviour change

Blue Triangle is an organisation that provides social care and homelessness support throughout Scotland. In Renfrewshire, they operate three accommodation services that offer support and housing to young people aged 16–25, as well as support, accommodation and advice to people experiencing homelessness.

Blue Triangle identified a growing number of young people who had never previously smoked but were now vaping. The organisation was also well placed to engage with people at higher risk of health inequalities and smoking-related harm, including people experiencing homelessness, those with mental health or substance use issues, and individuals living in areas of multiple deprivation.

Upskilling of staff

Blue Triangle used the funding to support staff to attend training delivered by Landed, on tobacco, vaping and second-hand smoke harms. This investment ensured staff felt more confident and knowledgeable in initiating informed, supportive conversations with the people they support.

To embed learning within their services, activity boards were purchased to support group work sessions with young people. These sessions created opportunities to explore tobacco and vaping topics in an engaging and interactive way.

The importance of trusted relationships

In addition to group work, staff integrated discussions about tobacco and vaping harms into weekly key work sessions. Delivering health messages through trusted relationships helped ensure young people were more receptive to information and felt comfortable asking questions and seeking support.

Increased awareness of harms and local support

Delivering key health messages through trusted staff resulted in clear improvements in knowledge and confidence among supported people. 63% per cent strongly agreed and 37% agreed that their understanding of the risks associated with tobacco, vaping and second-hand smoke had increased.

Awareness of local support also improved, with all supported people reporting that they knew how to access Quit Your Way (QYW) services following the project. Confidence in seeking support also increased, with 80% now feeling more confident in accessing help for smoking or vaping and exploring healthier alternatives.

Overall impact

The project successfully engaged 40 staff and supported people and has had wider benefits beyond the initial delivery. Resources developed through the project have been shared across other Blue Triangle services in Renfrewshire, extending its reach and impact.

By investing in staff training and practical resources, Blue Triangle has enabled conversations about tobacco, vaping and second-hand smoke to take place on an ongoing basis, both through planned group activities and regular one to one support. This approach has created a lasting legacy, ensuring health promotion messages continue to be embedded within services beyond the lifetime of the project.

The project also highlights the importance of trusted relationships between staff and supported people in effectively delivering key health messages and encouraging positive behaviour change.