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Health Zone
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.
5 Minutes a Day
We're encouraging people to read for just ‘5 minutes a day’ as part of our National Year of Reading programme!
We'd like adults across the county to take part and make reading a part of their everyday routine.
It has been found that reading for just five minutes every day can reduce stress by almost 20% and helps to manage stress levels for the rest of the day too.
There is an important link between reading fiction, mental health, brain health, and social connectedness, with reading fiction being proven to help reduce feelings of loneliness in adults.
To find out more about the research that has been conducted, visit thequeensreadingroom.co.uk.
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.
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 for dementia recommends helpful reading for people living with dementia. There are also books on the list for family members, friends and carers. The books provide reliable information, advice and support as well as personal stories.
The booklist is targeted at people living with dementia, carers and family members including younger children to help them understand more about dementia. Some of the recommended books provide information and advice; there are also personal stories and children’s fiction.
The collection of books has been chosen and endorsed by leading health professionals and co-produced with people with lived experience.
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. Visit the Read – Children page on the library catalogue and scroll to the bottom of the page to see the available books.
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. Visit the Read – Teen and Young Adults page on the library catalogue and scroll to the bottom of the page to see the available books.
Reading Well for families
Reading Well for families recommends helpful reading to support parents and carers to look after their wellbeing in pregnancy and the early years (from conception to aged two). The books provide information on wellbeing, mental health and coping with loss. The scheme is aimed at adults and includes a range of recommended books and supporting digital resources. Some of the recommended books provide information and advice; there are also personal stories, illustrated books and poetry. The list also includes a wide range of formats including eBooks and audiobooks.
The scheme’s co-production partner, Maternal Mental Health Alliance, ensured the views of parents with lived experience of perinatal mental health conditions from England and Wales informed all aspects of developing this list.
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.
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.
Dementia Friendly Books
Our Dementia Friendly book collection features specially selected titles designed to support people living with dementia. These books help readers maintain their connection to reading, offering clear, accessible text that makes it easier to follow the story. The collection hopes to promote a continued love of reading for pleasure.
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.
Free NHS Health Checks
Everyone aged 40-74 without a pre-existing cardiovascular condition is eligible for a free NHS Health Check once every five years.
These checks can now be done at an East Riding Library.
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 Period Project
Find out about our scheme tackling period poverty in the East Riding and how you can access it.
Pick Up Protection
Free condoms to those who need them, because looking after your sexual health should be simple, accessible and free from judgement.
Borrow a blood pressure monitor
Blood pressure monitors are now available to loan from any East Riding library or mobile library.
Have you ever felt worried about going to your local GP or pharmacy for a blood pressure check? Now, you can monitor your blood pressure from the comfort of your own home by borrowing a blood pressure monitor for up to two weeks, completely for free!
To find out more, and to see what other services you can access using your free library membership, please visit the library catalogue.