Wellbeing Zones in Kent Libraries Helping Kent communities to stay healthy Kent Libraries have always had a good partnership with Kent’s mental health team which included members which are now part of KCC Public Health. So they realized the potential which libraries offered to support the Public Health agenda

Contents Background Six Ways to Wellbeing Outcomes Setting up the Wellbeing Zones Who can use the zones Progress so far Monitoring and evaluation Kent Libraries have always had a good partnership with Kent’s mental health team which included members which are now part of KCC Public Health. So they realized the potential which libraries offered to support the Public Health agenda

Six Ways to Wellbeing Be active Keep learning Give Connect Take notice Care (copyright SLaM )

Wellbeing Zones - Outcomes Public Health: Increased reported wellbeing Improved access to IAPT services Kent Libraries, Registration and Archives: Establish eight Wellbeing Zones in libraries Actively promote the national Reading Well scheme Further develop services to support mental health and wellbeing Train front of house staff to support customers

Setting up the Wellbeing Zones Pilot eight Wellbeing Zones in libraries in areas with significant health inequalities Designated areas in libraries Furniture Stock Branding

Who can use the Wellbeing Zones? Examples: Health Trainers Smoking Cessation Carers Organisations Age UK Porchlight FAQ s for staff SLA for partners Information leaflets for partners

Progress so far……. SLAs Guidance (staff and partners) Local launches Use of the Wellbeing Zones

Progress so far…. “Really informative session. Zones with great potential” “Excellent local facility that we could use to liaise with the local community” “So good to have such an accessible publically accessible place to run a drop-in” “If all libraries offered this space it would improve wellbeing and stop stigma” “Feel that this is such a good idea. Bringing the community together” “So much information, healthy and inspiring for us all. Thank you for setting this great event” “Overall it was positive to find so many people interested in our services.”

Monitoring and evaluation Quarterly reports and meeting with Public Health Budget monitoring External evaluation by The McPin Foundation

Contact: Tricia Fincher Service Development Librarian – Health and Older People Kent Libraries, Registration and Archives Email: tricia.fincher@kent.gov.uk