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| Carers Collection Titles |
In 2021/22 the library Service received funding from the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) through the Scottish Government's COVID recovery fund to support health and wellbeing work in our libraries. We were delighted to have Catherine Findlay Middleton join us from November 2022 to October 2023 as our Health and Wellbeing Officer and while we are very sad to have to say our goodbyes we'd like to share some of the fantastic work Catherine instigated that we will continue to develop.
Catherine worked with our teams to identify what we were doing well, where we could improve and where there were gaps. She mapped local health and wellbeing support across our communities so that our team can help you find local sources of support and establish community folders and noticeboards in each of our libraries - look out for them next time you visit!
Our new health and wellbeing pages on the library webpage are designed to help you find trusted sources of information and support. Click to visit our Health and Wellbeing pages
We know that if you don't use a library regularly you may be unaware of the wide range of activities, resources or events we offer so Catherine worked hard to establish relationships with partners across our communities and across East Lothian including Enjoy Leisure, Volunteer Centre East Lothian, Alzheimer's Scotland, Dementia Friendly East Lothian, Young Carer's Network, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, Local Area Partnerships, GP practices and more which will be continued locally and as a service.
To highlight just a few of the many outcomes from these partnerships:
- Some of our libraries now offer sensory stories and support groups and we'll continue to look at how we can support neurodiversity and accessibility for all with an update to our webpage, a regular audit of our spaces, awareness training for our staff and we will partner with local groups and families to ensure our service is as inclusive as possible. If you have suggestions, ideas or would like to be involved in how we provide more inclusive spaces then please contact Caroline Messer - Team Manager, Library and Customer Services at cmesser@eastlothian.gov.uk
- A partnership with the Carers of East Lothian has led to a carer's collection, roadshows and training for our staff and we will continue to build on this wonderfully positive relationships.
- Our library staff have completed Dementia Friends training to help increase their knowledge, awareness and confidence and we'll continue to work with partners locally to support those living with dementia to feel welcome and safe in our spaces.
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| Dementia Awareness Week information stand |
Thank you to all partners who have engaged so positively with Catherine and our teams to bring such as strong wellbeing focus to our service. The support from Catherine over the last year has been invaluable in opening up our libraries to new local partnerships and opportunities and different ways of working in some cases and though we will miss her we'll be inspired by her drive to make things happen and ensure we partner with everyone to improve the wellbeing of our local communities across East Lothian.
