Posted on Monday 26th June 2023
Libraries Connected CEO, Isobel Hunter with library volunteers Wendy Sandbrook and Betty Johnson with their Health & Wellbeing Award.
Staffordshire library volunteers have won a national award for their work helping to promote learning, health and wellbeing through reading.
Wendy Sandbrook & Betty Johnson, volunteers at Werrington Community Managed Library received the Health & Wellbeing Award at the prestigious 2023 Libraries Connected Awards.
The pair are part of a team whose focus has been on meeting the health and wellbeing needs in the local area, which has over twice the national average of elderly and very elderly residents.
They work closely with the local patient group and doctor’s surgery and have established a varied programme of health events and activities delivered by local organisations. The library also uses Income raised through the library shop to subsidise room hire costs for local wellbeing providers, bringing a wider range of services to the community.
Wendy said:
"We are very grateful to Staffordshire Library Service for nominating us and were extremely proud to accept the award to share with our fabulous team of volunteers.".
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member responsible for libraries at Staffordshire County Council said:
“We’re absolutely delighted that Wendy and Betty have won the award, it’s truly deserved.
“There’s lots of evidence about how books and reading can benefit people’s health and wellbeing and the pair have worked extremely hard to develop their health services which are helping hundreds of people.
“Our libraries service continues to evolve and innovate and staff and volunteers work incredibly hard right across the county delivering a huge range of services. Once again it’s great to see all their work being recognised nationally.”
People can read more at Staffordshire libraries.