Reading Well for Children, quality-assured information, stories and advice to support children’s mental health and wellbeing.

The Reading Well for Children scheme, offered to support children’s health and wellbeing is now available in your local East Riding Library.

As part of Children’s Mental Health Week (7 to 13 February), East Riding Libraries would like to make our members aware our an important service available for you and your children to access for free.

The scheme is a booklist of expert-endorsed, 33 titles which support children’s mental health and wellbeing.

The list is targeted at children in Key Stage 2 but includes titles aimed at a wide range of reading levels that support less confident readers. It also encourages children to read together with their siblings and carers.

Despite offering the scheme for almost two years, East Riding Libraries’ launch of it was planned for April 2020 but had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The libraries service is now happy to be offering it again as it is still relevant and important to children.

How the scheme works:

· providing teachers, health and social care professionals, parents, guardians, or anyone supporting children and family the chance to recommend helpful reading materials

· The books are available on the open shelves of all East Riding libraries, for any member to borrow and reserve. (It is free to become a member of the library, please encourage your friends and family to sign up to access this service).  

· Selected titles are also available to borrow as e-books and audiobooks.

· We have full sets of books made available to be loaned to schools which are registered with East Riding Schools Library Service

This scheme provides evidence-based interventions for common mental health needs, for example with anxiety, depression and behaviour problems. It also supports children and young people who experience traumatic events such as bereavement.

The booklist contains titles on managing specific conditions, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and living well with a physical disability, as well as every day concerns such as healthy minds, feelings and bullying.

Reading well also provide support for Adults and teens. You can find out more information about the Reading Well service and the books available here, by visiting the East Riding Libraries website or asking a member of staff for details.

We are also offering Family Yoga Storytime in February aimed at children and their parents or guardians.

Family Yoga Storytime:

Friday, 11 February, 4-4.45pm at the Education Room, Treasure House, Beverley.

Join in for a free combined session of yoga and children’s story, Augustus and His Smile. Participants can stretch and learn like Augustus the tiger, to help him find his smile. Suited to children aged 3-8 with an accompanying adult.

Please bring, if possible, your own water bottle, yoga mat and blanket, or warm jacket, for relaxation. Refreshments and yoga mats can be provided.

Booking is essential so please contact (01482) 392750 or email Beverley.Library@eastriding.gov.uk