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Improve your health and fitness in the new year with Health Information Month

People looking to improve their health and fitness in the new year are encouraged to access reliable health information and activities with Wiltshire Council.

Published 10 January 2025

People looking to improve their health and fitness in the new year are encouraged to access reliable health information and activities with Wiltshire Council.

Throughout January, Wiltshire Council's Libraries, Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity and Public Health teams will be promoting reliable health information and activities to support people to improve their health, activity and wellbeing. Each week of the month will focus on one of four key themes: Mental health (6-12 Jan), active health (13-19 Jan), winter health (20-26 Jan) and wellbeing (27-31 Jan).

Wiltshire Libraries have a range of books and resources with reliable health information, from physical and mental health to exercise and diet. There are book collections with some of the latest and best books to support health and wellbeing as well as advice for people and their friends, families and carers on various conditions. People can find out more information about book collections on the library catalogue at Libraries catalogue. Many titles are available in physical and eBook format and there is also a range of lifestyle eMagazines to support healthy lifestyle choices available at Libby app.

Reading has many benefits for health including helping with stress, relaxation and concentration. New research from The Reading Agency in a recent nationwide survey reveals that 44% of regular readers said reading improved their mental health and wellbeing.

There are reading groups at many Wiltshire Libraries if people would like book recommendations or to discuss books with others. Some libraries also hold Shared Reading groups where short stories and poetry are discussed informally. For more information people should visit their local library or email libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Making sure the health information you are accessing is high quality and reliable can sometimes be confusing, but library staff are on hand to signpost people to trusted health information online including Public Health resources and how to get started with the NHS app. Free digital support appointments can be made at many libraries. More information about the huge variety of services on offer at Wiltshire Libraries can be found at Libraries.

During January, selected libraries will be hosting drop-in health partner sessions including health coach sessions with advice on stopping smoking and maintaining or reaching a healthy weight. Residents can find out more about booking an appointment with a health coach in their local library on the council's website at Wiltshire Health Improvement Hub.

During Warm Welcome Week (20-26 January), the council will be promoting libraries as a free space to sit, stay, take part in activities and meet other people. All libraries and other warm spaces and foodbanks in Wiltshire are listed on the council's Interactive Community Directory at Wiltshire Council warm spaces. As outside temperatures drop libraries will also be raising awareness of the support available from Wiltshire Council's Rough Sleeper team.

Wiltshire Council leisure centres are a great place to get more active and improve physical and mental health. There are 20 Wiltshire Council-managed leisure centres across the county with well-equipped gyms, swimming pools, sports halls and activity zones including a climbing wall. Anyone who is interested in seeing what their local leisure centre has to offer without committing to a membership can take advantage of the seven-day free trial pass. Residents can contact their local leisure centre to find out more and sign up. From 2-19 January, people can save £25 on a new direct debit leisure membership and can also take part in a free competition for a chance to win a one-month free membership at any Wiltshire Council leisure centre. To enter people should visit Leisure competition.

Wiltshire residents who are members of the library can borrow an activity tracker watch or blood pressure monitor to help monitor fitness levels for free from Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham, Devizes, Melksham, Bradford on Avon, Warminster, Royal Wootton Bassett, Calne, Corsham and the north and south mobile libraries. More information at Borrow an activity tracker or blood pressure monitor.

The Sport and Physical Activity team will be highlighting regular activity opportunities and the positive effects of a more active lifestyle to support both physical and mental wellbeing, as well as creating new opportunities to make friendships.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Libraries and Public Health, said: "Across Wiltshire Council services there's lots of support on offer to help people access reliable health information and improve their health and wellbeing.

"Our friendly library staff can help people to access curated collections to support with a variety of health and wellbeing topics and can also help people to get started with the NHS app. We offer a home library service for anyone unable visit to the library in person where our fantastic volunteers bring people their books and have chats with them which can help to combat loneliness.

"Healthy lifestyles in Wiltshire are supported with state-of-the-art leisure facilities across the county, free health monitoring equipment loans and health coach sessions, and activities and sports clubs to help everyone of all ages and abilities to get active and improve their physical and mental health.

"Find out how you can live well with your local library and leisure services this January and make positive changes to improve your health and wellbeing in the year ahead. We're all here to help you."

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