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Health Zone
Improve your mental health, increase daily brain training and reduce the risk of dementia.
Get well with libraries
Your local library has the tools you need to take control of your own health and wellbeing. Or join in our groups and make friends to stop loneliness and learn new skills. What are you waiting for? Get well and stay well with East Riding Libraries.
Reading Well
Just six minutes of reading has shown to reduce your heart rate and muscle tension faster than other relaxation methods, like listening to music or having a cup of tea (2009 study by University of Sussex).Reading is the simplest form of brain training to help memory, vocabulary and concentration, and best of all its done using a topic you enjoy.
The Reading Well initiative is here to help you understand yourself and those you care for, increase your ability to communicate your concerns and learn ways to live healthier, happier and more confidently. Remember, you can reserve any books and pick them up at your local library using your online library account. All facts from The reading agency and Libraries Connected.
Start reading now
Browse our eBooks. Search 'health' for reading well suggestions. Find out how to set up eReading free with your library membership number.
Children
Reading Well for children provides support for children's mental health and wellbeing. It covers general information and advice about understanding and managing feelings, school and online pressures, bereavement, parental mental health needs, and living well with diagnosed conditions and physical disabilities.
The book list is targeted at children in Key Stage 2 (aged 7-11), but includes titles aimed at a wider range of reading levels to encourage children to read. Browse the digital leaflet and reserve copies of the books to collect from your local East Riding Library.
Long-term conditions
In the UK, 15 million people are living with long-term conditions. From arthritis and fatigue to diabetes and heart disease, these books can help you manage conditions for a better quality of life.
Mental health
One in four of us and our families will experience the consequences of mental health. These books can help adults with common mental health issues and their carers, providing step-by-step self-help techniques and more.
Dementia
Reading Well Books on Prescription for Dementia recommends books you might find helpful if you have dementia, are caring for someone with dementia or would like to find out more about the condition.
The books provide information and advice, support for living well, advice for relatives and carers, and personal stories. They are endorsed by health professionals and can all be found in your local East Riding library.
Reading Well for Teens
Reading Well for Teens suggests recommended reading and digital resources to help you understand your feelings and boost your confidence. Teens and health and wellbeing experts have chosen the books to help you manage your emotions and cope with difficult times. The booklist is targeted at teenagers (13–18) and includes a range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement.
Free health eMagazines
You can use your free library membership to download and read free eMagazines. There are lots of health magazines on our eShelf. Find out how.
Living with memory loss
Many of our libraries hold reminiscence groups where members take a trip down memory lane, look at memory boxes with items to remind them of days gone by and it is also a chance to make friends and share their own stories. The groups welcome people with dementia or any memory problems and their carers.
Search for reminiscence groups
Digital reminiscence
Build your life story with photos, music and captions with our Digital Reminiscence Unit. A fun activity for families or friends to share valuable memories and experiences. Creating life stories has been proven to help improve the wellbeing and cognitive ability for people with mild to moderate dementia and memory loss. It is also an important treasure for friends and family, helping to improve relationships with loves ones. Get in touch to start building your story.
Dementia friends
East Riding of Yorkshire is a dementia-friendly county. All of our staff at East Riding Libraries are trained Dementia Friends from the Alzheimer's Society, so they have a good understanding of how dementia affects people.
Training available for care staff
East Riding Libraries offer a full Reminiscence package for those people who cannot access Reminiscence in our branch Libraries. Care settings can access our high quality training to train their staff and ensure their residents demonstrate high levels of wellbeing and plenty of 'magic moments'.
Sessions are £100 (we recommend six sessions). Please call the library health team on (01482) 39704 for more information.
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Boditrax
As an East Riding Libraries member, you can now get FREE access to Boditrax machines that check and monitor your health and wellbeing. Book a consultation and start your personal plan to better wellbeing.
10% of older people in the UK are lonely
but loneliness is not unique to age.
Be happy and well
Want to find more ways to improve your wellbeing? Visit East Riding Health and Wellbeing and search for nearby groups and clubs for sports, activities, creativity and learning new skills. Find local and national services for your health, such as dementia support at home, anxiety and stress, help to quit smoking, losing weight, how to improve wellbeing in the workplace and much more.
64 Million Artists: Create to Connect
Creative challenges to keep you connected, curious and creative at home. Download a free activity pack to help you engage your communities in the challenges - online and offline.
What is Collecting for Jackie?
Find out about our scheme tackling period poverty in the East Riding and how you can access it.