The Reading Well 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. Many titles are also available to borrow as e-books and audiobooks.
In Wales, we at the Books Council work with The Reading Agency to ensure titles are available in Welsh, and the Welsh Government supports The Reading Agency to deliver Reading Well in all 22 library authorities in Wales.
Welsh-language Reading Schemes
Reading Well for families
Reading Well for families recommends helpful reading to support family wellbeing in pregnancy and the early years. It provides information on wellbeing, mental health and coping with loss. The books are for parents, carers and anyone supporting people from pregnancy onwards.
Reading Well for Teens
Reading Well for teens suggests recommended reading and digital resources to help you understand your feelings and boost your confidence. Teens and health and wellbeing experts have chosen the books to help you manage your emotions and cope with difficult times. The books are for teenagers aged 13–18 and include a range of reading levels and formats.
Reading Well for Children
Reading Well 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 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 for Dementia
Reading Well for dementia provides 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.
The Reading Agency – Reading Well in Wales (External website, opens in new tab)