The Wellbeing @ the Library project was launched this week (22 June 2021) at the Healthcare Library at Craigavon to support the health & wellbeing and professional development needs of our staff and placement students. A short 1.5 minute video clip can be watched from https://youtu.be/bH1pskK3oU8

The project was developed by the Promoting Wellbeing Division in partnership with staff in the Health Care Library and with the support of the Trust’s Psychology Department. The project has a three key elements:

1. The curation and purchase of 136 new books related to physical, mental and psychological health and wellbeing. A document on the project and the book list can be found here.
2. The establishment of 3 new noticeboards which will be used to share health and wellbeing information with our staff and students.
3. The purchase of several new art prints to enhance the library environment and the provision of art kits which can be used by staff and students in the library rooms or at home.

The project was funded by the Staff Health and Wellbeing Steering Group and the Southern Area Mental Health Implementation Action Plan and shows the Trust’s investment in the wellbeing of staff. It illustrates the active and creative steps taken by the Trust to make our organisation ‘a great place to work’ and ‘a great place to learn’.

Melanie McClements, Director of Acute Services said "I am delighted to see the Launch of the Wellbeing @ the Library Healthcare Project in Craigavon Area Hospital. My fundamental belief is that we need to promote self-care and look after our friends, families and colleagues so that we have the resilience to deliver health and social care of the highest quality to our population. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have navigated through a very difficult 18 month period and it is with the help of projects just like this, encouraging us to take time, to take a step back and use the various resources available to protect and maintain both our physical and psychological health and wellbeing.  

We all need some help at some stage and being able to come to the Library and have the opportunity to lift a book (which is therapeutic in its own right) and find some support through the varied range of topics, for us and our patients. One size doesn’t fit all, so this project adds to the range of resources already in place including one to one support, team events, support from our psychology team (preventative and of a therapeutic nature) to name but a few.  I urge you to take time for you, look after yourself, have a wellbeing plan just for you….. Remember Take 5" 

Nina Daly, project lead “We are really excited about the launch of this project which will support the health and wellbeing of our staff and students. This project was a great opportunity for the Promoting Wellbeing Division to work with our colleagues in the library and Psychology services to enhance the already great service that the library provides. Together we selected books that reflect the ongoing health needs of our staff and have introduced topics from new and emerging fields in the area of positive psychology, mindfulness and many others which will inform and support staff’s psychological and emotional health – an area that is so important at this time.

The Wellbeing @ the Library project aligns with several of our Trust values of excellence and working together. Among the new collection of books are several titles on compassion – another of our Trust values.

We hope that staff and students will make good use of the books/e-book titles and that the art kits will offer an experience that is restful, relaxing, calming. The arts can play an important role for our staff both personally and professionally by being an outlet for creativity, self-expression as well as developing hand to eye coordination.

The information from this new collection of books will add to the wealth of information on the Umatter website which has recently been enhanced.

Any member of staff can sign up to join the library click: New Member Registration or Sharepoint.