Kirklees Libraries first in the UK to win Quality 4 Health and Wellbeing award

Left to right – Julie Robinson VAC, Vanessa Ibbetson and Julie Robinson, Kirklees Libraries and Penny Woodhead, West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

Kirklees Libraries become the first public library service in the UK to receive the Quality 4 Health award.

They have received the award in recognition of the work of frontline staff and volunteers to improve the health and wellbeing of residents through a targeted programme of outreach activities.

Supporting Kirklees residents

The team were presented their award by Penny Woodhead, Director of Nursing and Quality (Calderdale) for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and Julie Robinson, Chief Executive at Voluntary and Community.

Projects include:

  • Promoting the mental health benefits of reading for pleasure to all age groups
  • Supporting residents with a visual impairment
  • Promoting healthy walks and the enjoyment of local green spaces with regular story walks
  • Supporting people to deal with grief and loss through the Death Positive Libraries project and providing bibliotherapy opportunities for people living with dementia and their carers

Areas of excellence

Quality 4 Health and Wellbeing recognises excellence in nine key areas. Areas include service user experience, health promotion, equality and diversity, outcomes and impact and connectivity.  Providers of health and wellbeing services see Quality 4 Health and Wellbeing as an industry standard accreditation.

Councillor Paul Davies, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services said:

“Kirklees Libraries are no strangers to the limelight and I am delighted they have now been recognised for their excellent work to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.

Our libraries really are at the heart of our communities and this is one of many awards to show the team is working to the highest standards. They support residents of all ages and backgrounds to make sure they are happy, healthy and aspire to be the best they can be.”

Further information    

Read more about Kirklees Libraries