Live well with your local library

Shropshire Libraries are highlighting their Reading Well collections for Mental Health; which are now available to borrow from all 21 libraries across Shropshire.

This is thanks to the Reading Agency’s latest initiative ‘Read, Talk, Share’ which aims, to tackle loneliness and support mental health during the coronavirus pandemic ‘recovery’ phase, through the proven power of reading.

The scheme provides accredited reading to help you understand and manage your health and wellbeing using self-help books available from public libraries. The following book collections have been selected through a rigorous process by a panel of health professionals. For more information have a look at the Shropshire Libraries Health and Wellbeing page.

Reading Agency infographic

Michael Lewis, Shropshire Libraries service manager, said:-

“By having Reading Well for Mental Health available in every library, we are able to support more people in our communities. These book collections are our main health and wellbeing resources that everyone can benefit from. People can also be formally referred to use these resources by a professional through social prescribing. Discover new titles and live well with your library.”

Social prescribing is a non-medical programme designed to help people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs. You can find out more about social prescribing in Shropshire here.

How are you marking #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek this year? Take some time to #ReadTalkShare with helpful reading that supports your mental health and borrow a #ReadingWell book from your local library.

Resources 

Shropshire Libraries – https://shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/

Reading Well –  https://reading-well.org.uk/

Reading Agency – https://readingagency.org.uk/

Mental Health Awareness Week – https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

Social prescribing – https://shropshire.gov.uk/shropshire-choices/i-need-help/social-prescribing-in-shropshire/