Over 3.3 million Reading Well books have been borrowed from libraries; 92% of responding users found their book helpful, 81% said their book helped them to understand and manage their health and 69% said their book supported them in coping better. 90% of health professionals surveyed said the books helped support people outside of consultation time and feel more confident about self-managing their symptoms. The Reading Well for dementia scheme in particular, has achieved profile and credibility since its launch in England followed by roll out in Wales in 2018. An independent evaluation of Reading Well found that whilst 7% of those using books from the Reading Well for dementia list were referred to the scheme by a health professional, the vast majority (93%) self-referred signposted by leaflets and the library service. Between 2021-22, we estimate that over 27,568 Reading Well for dementia titles have been issued from public libraries including 1,762 books being issued from libraries in Wales.
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