Libraries are key partners in tackling Scotland’s health inequalities
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 5th October 2021
The co-creating libraries project worked in three areas of Scotland to encourage closer partnership working with libraries.
Over the last decade, a range of strategies have been published which all call for self management approaches and closer working across statutory and third sectors to improve health and wellbeing and prevent ill-health.
Empowering people to access the information and support they need to feel better able to live and die well at home is central to self management and health literacy.
For the past two years, the ALLIANCE has been delivering the Co-creating libraries for wellbeing project. As universally accessible community services and hubs of information about health and wellbeing, public libraries can play a key role in delivering this community-focused, person-centred model of support for health and wellbeing.
The project was designed to support service transformation based on the principles of cross-sector collaboration and co-design. It was a partnership between the ALLIANCE, Scottish Library and Information Council (this link will take you away from our website) and the Programme Lead for Knowledge and Decision Support at the Digital Health and Care Institute (this link will take you away from our website). It was delivered in three pilot areas – Midlothian, North Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire with a focus on working together to support young people’s emotional wellbeing.
By developing three pilots to be real world examples of cross-sector working, co-design principles and the library as a key partner in Scotland’s health and wellbeing, the ALLIANCE has been working towards the following transformative strategic outcomes:
• Senior healthcare leaders are more committed to involving library services as partners in service transformation
• Library staff are more involved at strategic and service level to meet local priorities
• Healthcare professionals, library staff and the third sector have a better understanding of each other and how to work together
• Librarians are more integrated into healthcare teams
• Library staff have new skills to support self-management
• Healthcare professionals better understand the role librarians can play in supporting self-management
A demonstrable impact of this project has been the extent to which there has been greater asset-based partnership working between the organisations and agencies involved in the pilot areas and the opportunities this is presenting for further innovations.
You can download the report and the case studies by selecting this link which will take you to another page on our website https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/blog/resources/co-creating-libraries-for-wellbeing-report/
End of page.
You may also like:
Gordon Moody is running free pilot residential programmes in Scotland for people experiencing gambling harm between February and April.
Continue readingGlobal Intergenerational Congress in Glasgow (29 September-1 October 2026) exploring research, practice and learning across generations.
Continue readingDrop in sessions for senior leaders in social work and social care to learn more about the Leading for the Future leadership programme.
Continue readingEvery Tuesday the Discover Digital team at the ALLIANCE shares a free and trusted digital tool that supports health and wellbeing.
Continue readingThe 'joint statement on prevention' partners have issued a follow-up ahead of the 2026-27 Scottish Budget.
Continue readingReflections from ALLIANCE Lived Experience group members about their role in contributing to the Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingScottish Government accepts ALLIANCE call for voting rights for lived experience, unpaid carer and third sector representatives.
Continue readingALLIANCE supports the launch of a new DEAP report sharing learning on meaningful lived experience involvement in mental health policy.
Continue readingOver the year, we have delivered a series of engagement activities with our partners that centre voices of people with lived experience.
Continue readingIn 2025, the Person Centred Voices programme engaged with 9.000 people at over 200 events, to embrace kindness in care.
Continue readingIn 2025, the networks have continued to information share and connect people with experience of heart disease and Long Covid.
Continue readingThe Academy has continued to advocate for long term, meaningful and sustainable change.
Continue readingThe programme continues to raise awareness of how Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) can support children and their families.
Continue readingIn 2025, we have continued to build and strengthen relationships within the third sector and promoted integrated ways of working.
Continue readingIn 2025, the Community Links Worker Programme continued to support people facing challenges such as isolation, poverty and debt.
Continue readingThe Self Management Programme continued to drive the uptake of self management practices in community and health settings.
Continue readingIn 2025, the Scottish Sensory Hub has launched a major campaign on inclusive communication, contributed to consultations, and more.
Continue readingThe Women’s Health Plan Programme continues to represent lived experience priorities in policy development on women’s health.
Continue readingHumans of Scotland continues to champion the voices of disabled people, people living with long term conditions, and carers.
Continue readingIn 2025, the Policy team played a key role in shaping national decision-making and influencing human rights and social security policy.
Continue readingALISS continues to help people find and share information about community assets and services that can support health and wellbeing.
Continue readingThe Digital Health and Social Care Programme has continued to drive transformational change across the sector.
Continue readingThroughout 2025 the membership team has supported members to share their views and experiences and work together to shape change.
Continue readingRegister now to join Scotland's Disability Summit, taking place on 21 February 2026.
Continue readingEvent calls for human rights to be a priority ahead of the Scottish Parliament Elections in 2026.
Continue reading