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Health and wellbeing support

Book lists, online activities and other resources that can help you maintain your health and wellbeing.

Toasty Toes

Over the winter many of our libraries are holding "Toasty Toes" events for older adults. These events will include information and advice from a range of organisations to support people with the cost of living. We will also be gifting pairs of NHS approved slippers to keep your feet warm and toasty.

Find details for Toasty Toes events 

Navigating Menopause - What you really need to know

This session is led by Diane Danzebrink, author of Making Menopause Matter and founder of Menopause Support and the #MakeMenopauseMatter campaign.

Will you experience menopause or do you know somebody who will? Come and join Diane for a friendly, honest, open discussion about all things menopause and get your questions answered.

Diane is a member of the British Menopause Society and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Women's Voices Involvement Panel. She is regularly invited to speak to the media and has appeared on This Morning, Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, BBC Breakfast, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky News. She can regularly be heard discussing menopause and mental health on the radio and has been invited to write for both the Telegraph and the Guardian.

To book for any of the following events please email [email protected] with details of the event you wish to attend, the number of spaces required and any questions you would like us to put to Diane.

View details for Navigating Menopause events.

Digital Health Hub

We can help you with the skills you need to access online health services. This includes things like how to make an online appointment with a GP and ordering repeat prescriptions online.

We can also show you how to find reliable health information on NHS websites and NHS apps.

These are one-to-one sessions in person in Norfolk Libraries, or online over Zoom. (We can even help you get started with Zoom!)

To book a place, call 01603 774777 or email:

[email protected]

Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.

Healthy Libraries catalogue

Our Healthy Libraries Catalogue is where you can search for books to help your health and wellbeing. In the discover more section, you'll find all 5 of the Reading Well booklists and a Mood-boosting booklist.

Reading Well

Reading Well supports physical and mental health for all age groups through books recommended by health professionals, librarians and people with lived experience of a range of conditions. Free to reserve and pick up at your local library or borrow instantly as eBooks & eAudio.

Information about the lists is available on our Reading Well page.

End of life and bereavement

We have a Compassionate Communities book collection on the subject of Dying and Bereavement available in the Discover More section of our Healthy Libraries Catalogue.

This selection of books can provide support for difficult conversations about end of life planning, death and guidance on life after loss.

Many Norfolk Libraries also run Bereavement Cafes where you can spend time with other bereaved people. This is an informal environment where you can share experiences, support each other or just sit and have a cuppa.

Multiply free maths courses

Multiply offers easy access to free numeracy activities and courses, both for Norfolk residents and employers.

View further information on Multiply free maths courses. 

Support for those affected by dementia

If you or someone you care for is affected by dementia, we can support you to continue enjoying your library service 

  • Ask a member of staff to apply "Equal Access" membership to your library card
  • "Come Singing" sessions take place in Norwich at The Millennium Library (2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 10.45-11.45am and Earlham Library 3rd Friday of the month 11.15am-12pm). For more information visit www.comesinging.org.uk.
  • Reminiscence Kits and packs contain a range of materials to appeal to all of the senses. We have a wide selection available through all Norfolk Libraries. 
  • Accessible reading options (short stories, quick reads, audio books, eAudio and large print) 
  • Dementia Support booklist - a collection of books which includes titles about personal experiences and practical information. Take a look at the Dementia Support booklist online.
  • Create a list of music and the memories it evokes using recommended websites such as Music Mirrors (opens new window) and Playlist for Life (opens new window)

Local storyteller videos

Our collections of video clips of oral storytelling by local storytellers are available on YouTube. Suitable for facilitators of dementia friendly groups and individuals:

At home with Reading Friends

Library volunteers will read stories to you over the phone. Suitable for people in the early stages of dementia and their carers. Find out more in our At home with Reading Friends YouTube video

Our Homelessness offer (for People with no fixed abode)

Our Autism offer

  • We offer an "equal access" option to help manage your book loans (you can ask a member of staff to apply this to your library card)
  • If it is too noisy when you visit, we can suggest times to visit when it will be quieter
  • When possible, we will do our best to adjust lighting so it isn't too light or too dark
  • We are a safe space where you can be yourself
  • We never worry about excited play, noise, outbursts, or meltdowns
  • We are always happy to help you enjoy your visit, just let us know if there is anything you need
  • Support through Reading Pathway to improve your reading ability if needed
  • We have over 40 autism friendly sessions running in our libraries every month. Find autism friendly sessions in our What's On section.
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