Health & Wellbeing Week at our Libraries

Try something new at libraries during Health and Wellbeing Week and ‘Sit for Six’

Libraries across Cheshire West and Chester will once again be offering a wide range of free activities to help improve your mental and physical wellbeing during their Health and Wellbeing Week 2026.

There will be something for everyone in libraries between Monday 19 and Sunday 25 January 2026.

The Library Service is teaming up with a range of partners including Age UK, Brio Leisure, Citizens Advice, Healthbox, Healthwatch, Health Rangers, Koala Northwest, Snow Angels, Tomorrows Women and Vision Support.

Libraries are also encouraging everyone to boost their wellbeing by reading a book for just six minutes a day, with the ‘Sit for Six’ challenge, which ties in with 2026 being the National Year of Reading.

Partners will be at health and wellbeing marketplaces at Ellesmere Port Library on Tuesday 20 January and Storyhouse Chester on Wednesday 21 January between 10am and 4pm.

Other highlights include:

• Wellbeing Walks at Blacon Library, Ellesmere Port Library, Lache Library. Neston Library, Northwich Library Tattenhall Library and Winsford Library. These walks are supported by the Health Ranger and Green Infrastructure team at Cheshire West and Chester Council.
• An unmissable evening of crime fiction with two outstanding crime authors – T. M. Payne and Caroline Corcoran – for an exclusive evening of conversation and insight at Neston Library.
• Creative writing workshop and sound bathing taster session at Northwich Library at Weaver Hall Museum.
• Mind and Motion, a chair-based exercise session at Sandiway Library.
• Brio health checks at Frodsham Library, Helsby Library, Neston Library and Weaverham Library.
• Mini Health and Wellbeing marketplace at Little Sutton Library with Mental Health Recovery, New Beginnings and NHS Recovery and Wellness.

Tickets to bookable events are available at: Cheshire West and Chester Council Libraries event tickets from TicketSource.

Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem but reading for just six minutes a day can have a direct and significant impact on stress levels. Whether it be a gripping thriller or a cosy romance, reading can help improve your mental health. Mindlab International has conducted research that shows how beneficial reading a book for just six minutes can be. Watch David Lewis of Mindlab International talking about the research findings here: Just six minutes at Cheshire West and Chester Council.

To find out about all the fantastic wellbeing events visit: Library Events at Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Anyone who loves reading but can’t get to the library can use the Home Library Service. Volunteers can deliver books, large print books and talking books to residents who can’t visit the library.

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