Our Good HealthReading, Health and Public Libraries

CILIP October 2015

Debbie Hicks Creative Director, The Reading Agency

A world where everyone is a confident and enthusiastic reader

Because everything changes when we read

Reading, Health and Libraries• Evidence base for reading as a self–help, health and well-

being tool: readingagency.org.uk/readingwell and readingagency.org.uk/news/media/reading-for-pleasure-builds-empathy-and-improves-wellbeing-research-from-the-reading-agency-finds.html

• Health information and learning• Self–help book based cognitive behavioural therapy• Mood Boosting novels and poetry• Social reading• Libraries: access and expertise

The Public Library Universal Health Offer

http://readingagency/about/health.html

The Public Library Health Offer

Public library health assets

• Trusted community space • Assisted digital access • Out reach to vulnerable groups• Health information and signposting • National reading programmes • Social reading and recreational activity • Volunteering and engagement

Need and Solution

• 1:4 people suffering mental ill health in any year • 6m people with anxiety and depression; three

quarters not receiving treatment• 800,000 people with dementia• Less than half of people with dementia have a

diagnosis• Half a million dementia carers• 850,000 children have diagnosed mental health

problems in UK• Averaging at 3 children in every classroom

Reading Well Books on Prescription

Scheme • Developed with and endorsed by

leading health organisations • Curated quality assured self-help

reading lists helping people to understand and their mental health

• Using a referral and self referral model

• Universal- in nearly all (97%) of 152 English library authorities

• Signposted via NHS Choices

Reading Well Books on Prescription for Dementia

• People with dementia, carers and those worried about their memory

• Information and advice, practical support, personal stories, activities

• Delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with SCL and ASCEL

• Delivered by local library services working with local partners

• Core book collections available via every library

• A national programme with economies of scale plus value of local delivery

A Third Sector/Library Partnership

• Core funding from Arts Council England

• New 2015 funding partnership with The Wellcome Trust

• Local funding/ commissioning partnerships particularly with Public Health

Funding/Development Partners

• Supported by the Department of Health and NHS England

• Endorsed and developed with national health partners

• Supported by voluntary sector mental health charities

• Signposted via NHS Choices- English public health web portal www.nhs.uk/

Health Partnerships

• New national partners supporting Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia

• Opening up local partnership opportunities and strengthening existing links

New Dementia Partners

Publisher Partnerships

• A powerful commercial and advocacy publisher partnership network

• Digital content for web site

• Channelling author involvement and advocacy

• Marketing support

Reading Well National Evidence• Reach: 445,000 people• Over 2 million leaflets

distributed• 100% increase in loans of

common mental health conditions titles

• 346% increase in loans of dementia titles

• 6,500 prescribers using the scheme regularly

• Positive feedback on the scheme and the value of libraries’ health role

• 73% self referral rate Had some very positive reader feedback (GP)

User Impact

Mental health• 90% of users surveyed found books helpful for

understanding more about their condition• 85% more confident about managing

symptoms• 55% said that symptoms had improved

Dementia• 92% found the scheme helpful• 79% said it helped them care for someone

with dementia• 73% said it improved understanding of the

condition• 67% said it increased their knowledge of

sources of help and support

I’ve worried for so many years about why I get depression and anxiety but I’ve never had anyone really explain it to me before. The books have helped me so much in understanding things like what can bring on a panic attack, and why it makes me feel the way it does. Now if I’m having a bad day, I drop in the library and pick up a book

Gill Taft, Service User

Real Impact

I found it really useful to take the book home and work on it in my own time. The fact that it got me doing some of the exploration and understanding work made me feel as if I’d got some control back…I found myself looking forward to reading it, and went onto renew it for another three weeks. The library staff were wonderful. Whilst I was there, I mentioned I was in the Dark Ages with my computer skills. The librarian signed me up to lessons.

Carol Speakman, Service User

The Personal Story

Next Steps• New scheme to support young people’s mental

health• New partnerships with Public Health England, Young

Minds, Young People’s IAPT, Schools Nurses Association

• Planned schemes for long term conditions and healthy living

• Clinical research study• New opportunities: older people’s reading challenge

Debbie HicksCreative Director, The Reading Agencydebbie.hicks@readingagency.org.uk