Reading for health
The Reading Well Schemes provide books, recommended by health experts and people with lived experience of the conditions and topics covered; to help you, your relatives and carers manage your health and wellbeing.
Reading Well is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with Libraries Connected. It is funded by Arts Council England, The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Welsh Government. The scheme forms part of the Libraries Connected Universal Health Offer.
The programme is supported by leading health experts including, NHS England, The British Psychological Society, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and many others. More information on partner organisations can be found via the following link: Partners | Reading Well (reading-well.org.uk).
There are currently five book lists available, Reading Well for Families, Reading Well for Mental Health, Reading Well for Dementia, Reading Well for Teens and Reading Well for Children. More information can be found on these below.
Reading Well for Families
Reading Well for Families recommends valuable reading materials to support family wellbeing during pregnancy and the early years. It provides information on wellbeing, mental health, and coping with loss. The books are aimed at parents, carers, and anyone supporting individuals from pregnancy onwards. The scheme targets adults and features a selection of recommended books alongside supporting digital resources.
Reading Well for Mental Health
Each title offers invaluable support to people with mental health needs and their carers. This booklist will help people to read well to stay well and is penned by bestselling and highly regarded authors Matt Haig, Sathnam Sanghera and Ruby Wax.
Mental Health | Reading Well booklists | Books | Reading Well (reading-well.org.uk)
Books on Prescription for Dementia
Originally launched in 2015 these books offer people living with dementia, their families and carers, practical information to understand what dementia is, how to recognise it and how to deal with it; as well as experiences of people living with dementia. The scheme successfully refreshed in May 2024 with a whole new booklist.
Dementia | Reading Well booklists | Books | Reading Well (reading-well.org.uk)
Reading Well for Teens
Aimed at 13 – 18-year-olds, Reading Well for Teens provides recommended reading to help understand feelings and boost confidence. The books have been chosen by Teens and Health professionals and are accessible for all reading levels.
Teens | Reading Well booklists | Books | Reading Well (reading-well.org.uk)
Reading Well for Children
Reading Well for children recommends reading to help children understand their feelings and worries and cope with tough times. The books have been chosen by children, carers, health experts and librarians. The booklist includes a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and to encourage children to read together with their siblings and carers.
Children | Reading Well booklists | Books | Reading Well (reading-well.org.uk)
Memory Boxes
We have a wide selection of memory boxes which contain objects to stimulate memories of experiences, people and places. They cover a wide range of topics including:
Childhood, Holidays, Home / The Household, Working Life, Entertainment / Going Out, Transport, Sport and The Services / Wartime Britain.
Memory boxes are an excellent resource for professionals working with the public – such as health workers and older people's services.
Memory boxes can also be loaned to library members – please speak to a member of staff for more details.
Act On It
This new programme offers people the chance to perform plays in a fun and informal way. It offers an exciting opportunity to meet new people, explore thoughts, feelings and emotions through a shared acting experience, with lots of stress busting laughs along the way.
'Act On It' can improve your self-confidence, satisfaction, motivation and focus, as well as promoting your overall health and well-being.
We offer a varied choice of play themes to suit your needs, anything from a rip-roaring comedy to a 'whodunnit', all to allow for a friendly and inclusive experience. We also have specially chosen sets which are suitable for children.
For further information and details of how to borrow Act On It play sets, contact our team: Telephone: 01772 534030 Email: musicdrama@lancashire.gov.uk