Health & Wellbeing
The Knowledge and Library Service is here to support staff health and wellbeing, whether it's borrowing fiction from our leisure reading collection, or using the library as a quiet space to destress.
Our extensive collection of wellbeing books cover topics such as stress management, menopause, and mindfulness, providing valuable insights and practical tips to support staff mental and physical health.
Additionally, our Just 6 reading initiative offers a perfect opportunity for staff to take a break from busy schedules and unwind with a good book.
Explore various wellbeing resources for staff below:
Just 6 - reading for wellbeing
Reading Just 6 Minutes a day can boost your wellbeing!
Our simple and fun reading initiative supports mental health through short, daily reading sessions. By reading for just 6 minutes a day, you can reduce stress, grow personally, sleep better, build cognition, and more.
Read physical books or eBooks, listen to audiobooks or podcasts - whatever works best for you. Collect stamps, complete your booklet by sharing your reading or listening experiences, and then select your reward from our range of exceptional well-being titles and resources to keep!
Start your journey to better wellbeing with Just 6 Minutes of reading daily - find out more here.
Books
There is a huge evidence base around the value of reading to support health and wellbeing,explore our extensive collection of books and resources designed to assist you or enable you to support others in times of need.
The Knowledge & Library service covers a wide range of self-help topics, such as mindfulness, pain management, stress relief, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and much more.
Browse our current selection of titles in the library catalogue. We are continually developing our collection and can request additional titles from other NHS libraries upon request. In addition, we offer a curated range of leisure reading materials to help you unwind and relax.
Access our handpicked collection of resilience and well-being ebooks; click here. These recommendations come from KLS colleagues, and an NHS OpenAthens account is necessary to gain access.
Wellbeing links
Royal Devon health and wellbeing (Intranet)
Devon Wellbeing Hub - Supporting the mental health needs of healthcare staff in Devon.
TALKWORKS - Providing inclusive psychological support to adults across Devon through a team of qualified practitioners and therapists.
NHS Every Mind Matters - Helpful tips and tools on mental health and wellbeing, as well as a free Mind Plan quiz.
Check My Wellbeing - A self-assessment for Health and Social care staff with a direct link to mental health support resources.
NHS Self-Help for Mental Health - Find tips, guides, tools and activities to support and improve mental health.
How are you feeling NHS? Toolkit - A toolkit from NHS Employers to check your own wellbeing or help speak to and support colleagues with their emotional wellbeing.
Devon Mind - Devon Mind is an independent mental health charity affiliated with the national Mind association, providing advice, information and support to empower anyone in Devon who may be experiencing a mental health problem.
Uplifting resources for the NHS from the NHS - Health Education England and the Reading Agency have crowd-sourced a list of uplifting, resources for NHS staff.
NHS Better Health - Whether you want to lose weight, get active or quit smoking, Better Health provides lots of free tools and support.
Wellbeing apps
Headspace - Headspace is a science-backed app in mindfulness and meditation, providing unique tools and resources to help reduce stress, build resilience, and aid better sleep. They have now extended their free offer and are offering free access to all NHS staff with an NHS email address until 31 March 2024.
Unmind - Unmind is a mental health platform that empowers staff to proactively improve their mental wellbeing. They currently offer free access to NHS staff.
ShinyMind - ShinyMind is an evidence-based, proven mental health and wellbeing app, co-created with the NHS. The nursing version of ShinyMind is free to all NHS nurses, midwives, and health care support workers in England.
Doing Our Bit - DoingOurBit is an award-winning, free to participate 24-7 one-stop shop for fitness, health & wellness. The website and App are accessible to all NHS and social care staff across the UK.
WorkLife Central - WorkLife Central’s programme offers expertise and support to help you balance work with home life. WorkLife Central has offered their online programme of support and resources to NHS employees without charge until 31 March 2024.