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Launch of Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia

Today we’re launching Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia. The ground-breaking scheme, which we run in partnership with the Society of Chief Librarians, with funding from Arts Council England, already helps over 275,000 people with common mental health conditions feel better through self-help reading.

The first Books on Prescription scheme in England was launched in 2013. It supports people with book-based therapy for common mental health conditions, available from public libraries.

Building dementia-friendly communities

Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia will be available in libraries from February. There are an estimated 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia. The new scheme will also help their relatives and carers, and the many people living without a formal diagnosis, who may be worrying about symptoms and wanting to find out more.

GPs and other health professionals can recommend titles on the book list to people. The books are also available for anyone to borrow for free from their local library.

The booklist

Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia 2
The 25 titles on the Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia list have been recommended by health experts as well as people with lived experience of dementia.

The list includes a range of books offering:

Get involved

Find out more about the Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia titles.

Find out about the resources available to help you make the most of the scheme.

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