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Background Adults with mild–moderate intellectual disabilities have difficulties in accessing traditional evidence‐based health promotion initiatives despite experiencing health disparities; yet there are few studies with this group and their carers exploring how their needs can be met. Method This study adapted a behaviour change theory‐based approach to interview this group and their carers and ascertain if this method was feasible and appropriate to explore how healthier behaviour uptake could be improved amongst adults with intellectual disabilities. Results A community‐based, staged recruitment process and iterative approach to data collection and analysis supported successful participation amongst adults with intellectual disabilities in behaviour‐change theory‐based interview research. Methodological adaptations enabled richer data collection amongst adults with mild–moderate intellectual disabilities and carers. Conclusions It is feasible and important to include adults with intellectual disabilities in qualitative health research that uses theory‐based complex constructs to inform development of person‐centred health promotion interventions with this underserved cohort.

Human beings face unprecedented social and environmental challenges which require collective action and changes in health-related behavior. The threat of climate change is becoming an increasingly urgent issue for humanity and the natural environment. Alongside this, there is evidence that loneliness and social isolation can significantly impact cardiovascular health and mortality through direct and indirect processes, for example by increasing risky behaviors. However, one construct that has so far received little attention in health psychology is that of purpose. Purpose is thought to be self-regulatory; it derives from a greater sense of meaning yet is goal-directed and involves a stable and generalized intention toward accomplishment. The development of a sense of purpose is associated with improved mental and physical health. However, it is possible that one facet of purpose, prosocial orientation, may have a particularly beneficial effect on psychological well-being, increasing generativity and personal growth. Prosocial purpose may also help explain the growth in the number of people in the West who are reducing their meat and dairy intake, which may help mitigate climate change. It may also help explain the rise of civic engagement in environmental volunteering and support for conservation amongst some individuals and communities, which can also confer additional health benefits. Cultivating prosocial purpose may aid engagement in behavior change initiatives which may improve individual health and help address these wider social challenges, such as changing one’s diet to help address climate change, volunteering and engaging in physical activity outdoors to support the environment, and supporting active engagement with vulnerable groups at risk of social isolation and loneliness. Cultivating prosocial purpose may also support self-advocacy for social changes which can benefit community health. It may be possible to cultivate prosocial purpose through interventions which involve experiential and abstract learning experiences that increase empathy, stimulate reflection and lead to meaning-making processes. This may then facilitate development of a sense of prosocial purpose because meaning-making is thought to be a precursor to purpose development. Doing so may be important to engage populations in efforts to combat climate change and address social isolation and loneliness.

Disseminating knowledge is an important element of practice in health psychology. This can help research to have positive impact in wider society. Digital technologies and social media create a plethora of available avenues for students to share research and practice, but it can be difficult to envisage how creative methods can be used to mobilise knowledge effectively with the public and stakeholders. A Creative Mobilisation workshop hosted at the DHP Conference for students aimed to address this topic.

Applied HPs work in the context of cultural and societal change. Recently this included the #BlackLivesMatter Campaign, the #metoo movement, LGBTQIA inclusion and a national pandemic; all of which have highlighted inequalities in UK society.HPs often work therapeutically with clients who experience discrimination linked to the direct and indirect consequences of health conditions, lifestyle behaviours and disabilities as well as relating to other visible and invisible differences.HCPC guidelines on discrimination require registrants to not discriminate towards others and to challenge colleagues who discriminate against others. However, responsibilities are not contextualised and do not address the personal impact of discrimination faced by the psychologist themselves (personally and professionally), which may impact the perceived safety of raising professional concerns.The British Psychological Society guidance for practitioner psychologists on discrimination does not address how to discuss difference and discrimination within therapeutic practice. Internationally there are examples of guidance that could be adapted for the UK.HPs need to take a strong affirmative position on tackling discrimination in its broadest definition across marginalised groups. Professional guidance/best practice that recognises the personal experiences of discrimination and clarifies roles and responsibilities would support us to do this.