COVID-19 – Some services may be closed or offering alternatives to face-to-face support.
Please contact them directly for updates or visit the organisation’s webpage.
Blackpool Library Service:
Supporting positive health and wellbeing
Blackpool Libraries are free to use and free to join. There are 8 fully-staffed libraries across the town and they’re actively used by around 40,000 residents. They attract more than half a million visits each year, and delivered more than 2000 activity events in 2019 - supporting literacy, learning, social connection, health and wellbeing!
Libraries and the activities they offer can help people feel less lonely and improve their wellbeing. Blackpool Council recently agreed a Libraries Ambition Plan, which sets out how libraries will improve experiences for young children, reduce social and digital isolation, and increase support for positive mental health.
'Health and Wellbeing is one of the national priorities for libraries to offer a range of creative and social activities that help engage and connect people and communities.'
How do Blackpool Libraries support health and wellbeing?
- Our libraries are welcoming, safe and trusted spaces with friendly and experienced staff. There are spaces for drop-in sessions, meetings and clubs
- Free digital access – PCs and internet access and WiFi is available in all Blackpool Libraries, free of charge
- There are a wide range of general books and magazines/newspapers; completely free to borrow (in hard copy and online: https://blackpool.overdrive.com / http://blackpool.rbdigitalglobal.com and including lots on health and fitness) – We know that reading improves people’s health and life expectancy! And Blackpool libraries have NO overdue fees, so no-one will be charged for returning items a little late…
- Reading Well collections (https://reading-well.org.uk/ ) are in all libraries. These books have been chosen by library staff, health professionals and people with lived experience of the conditions they cover. They include books on mental and physical health and can help you understand and manage your health and wellbeing.
- Health information and displays, tied into local Public Health campaigns.
- Activity sessions, including Knit and Knatter, Community Choirs, ICT support sessions, Book clubs; Keep Calm and Colour In, take place on a daily basis across the network (see https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Libraries-arts-and-heritage/Libraries/Library-events.aspx ); We’ve even got free mindfulness courses going on in libraries
- Bounce and Rhyme times and Story-time in libraries and online for young children
- All Blackpool Libraries are dementia-friendly
- Adult, Community and Family Learning run classes out of Central, Palatine and @thegrange libraries, including courses on wellbeing
- We have developed a special e-Book/e-Audio ‘Resilience Revolution’ collection in partnership with HeadStart (for ages 13+): https://blackpool.overdrive.com/collection/1088955
*Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions not all activities might be proceeding as normal, so please check with the Library Service. You can speak to a member of staff on 01253 478080, or email: library.info@blackpool.gov.uk, or contact us via our social media: Facebook: blackpoollibraryservice / Twitter: @bpoollibraries*