News Enhancing patient wellbeing through the joy of Reading We are delighted to be able to support the trust library for World Book Night this year, by providing the funding for 160 books to help share the joy of reading with patients across the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. World Book Night, which takes place on the 23rd of April, is an annual celebration of books and reading, run by The Reading Agency, aims to inspire people who don’t regularly, read for pleasure. For the event, the library has secured a selection of specially chosen “quick read” titles to give away. These short but engaging books are perfect for those who might find reading challenging or haven’t picked up a book in a while. The books are available to patients and service users across the trust either to read on their own, or as part of a reading group facilitated by Oxford Health staff. OHC and Library Staff admiring the World Book Night Display at the Warneford Hospital Library The library already supports reading groups across the Trust, and told us how important it is to offer books to patients who don’t already read for pleasure, as the wellbeing benefits of books are well-known. Internal staff can contact the library services directly for support to start a new book club for their ward or service. Former outreach librarian, Mpilo Siwela, wrote an article for the World Book Night website, highlighting the benefits of providing the World Book Night books to our patients. She wrote: “Evidence strongly suggests that reading will help with their recovery, for example by creating and engaging shared interest. For example, some service users have said that attending reading groups has helped them gain their confidence back in reading and speaking, because as they read and discuss the group members listen to them and respect their views. For some receiving a brand-new book makes them feel happy and honoured. Some inpatients may have been avid users of public libraries and giving them books in this environment may help revive their memories and still make them feel still part of the community as before admission into hospital. Therefore, this activity does not only develop the reading culture but it also helps in the recovery pathways.” We are incredibly pleased to be able to continue this initiative with the library. It’s a wonderful example of how charitable funding can be used to enhance patients’ experiences and support a wider experience of recovery, comfort and mental wellbeing. To help us to support more projects like this - Donate Here Manage Cookie Preferences