Libraries in Swindon are supporting a national initiative this week which aims to promote high quality health information resources that are available to the public.

Health Information Week is running until Sunday and Swindon Libraries and Information Service is running a series of initiatives designed to improve residents’ health and wellbeing.

Central, North Swindon and West Swindon libraries all now have Wellbeing Zones, which have been devised by Swindon Libraries and Swindon Borough Council’s Public Health Community Health and Wellbeing team.

Library members and visitors are being offered one-to-one support from a Health Ambassador to gain a healthier lifestyle, which includes support to stop smoking as well as free health checks.

Health Ambassadors can meet those attending up to six times and support goals such as eating healthier and increasing physical activity. A specialist Health Ambassador can meet regularly to support stopping smoking and arrange prescriptions, accordingly. People aged between 40 and 74, who have no long-term health conditions, can also receive a free health check.

The Wellbeing Zone will contain a range of information in the form of health and wellbeing books offering support to people who want to explore ways to improve their physical and emotional health.

To book an appointment on a week day morning, afternoon, early evening or a Saturday morning please call 01793 465513 or email livewell@swindon.gov.uk

Swindon Libraries and Information Service has also teamed up with a range of partners to offer its Reading Well Books on Prescription service.

Working with The Reading Agency, the Council’s Public Health team, LIFT Psychology and the Clinical Commissioning Group, Swindon Libraries and Information Service provide books to help people with a range of common health problems.

There is a general list of self-help books on topics such as stress, panic, depression and anger. However, there are a range of other reading lists, including one which is aimed specifically at people living with dementia and those caring for people living with dementia.

There is a list specifically for young people with books giving advice on things such as bullying, ADHD, body image and stress.

And, launching later this month, there will be a list on long-term conditions such as arthritis, stroke and chronic pain.

These books are available in all five core Swindon Libraries; Central Library, North Swindon Library, West Swindon Library, Highworth Library and Park Library and can be borrowed by anyone. However, a healthcare professional may prescribe a book from one of the collections through the scheme.