Reading Well

The Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme is led by The Reading Agency and aims to support people to understand and manage their health and wellbeing using helpful reading.

The books are all recommended by health experts, as well as people with lived experience of the conditions and topics covered and their relatives and carers.

You can be recommended a title by a health professional, or you can visit your local library and take a book out yourself.

In Wales, the Book Council is workingwith The Reading Agency to ensure titles are available in the Welsh language, and the Welsh Government is supporting The Reading Agency to deliver Reading Well in all 22 library authorities in Wales.

Welsh-language titles were delivered in Wales as part of Reading Well for dementia in 2018, Reading Well for mental health in 2019 and Reading Well for children in 2020-21.

Reading Well Books on Prescription for children

Reading Well Books on Prescription for children provides helpful reading to support children’s mental health and wellbeing. The books provide quality-assured information, stories and advice. Books have been chosen and recommended by leading health professionals and co-produced with children and families

Reading Well Books on Prescription for mental health

Reading Well for mental health provides helpful information and support for managing common mental health conditions, or dealing with difficult feelings and experiences. Some books also include personal stories from people who are living with or caring for someone with mental health needs.

Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia

The books provide information and advice for people living with dementia, support for living well, advice for relatives and carers, as well as fiction, memoir and photographic books used in reminiscence therapy. They are endorsed by health professionals and can all be found in the local library.

Further details can be found on The Reading Agency’s website