Health and wellbeing booklists

Booklists last updated 04/2025.

Your Health Collection - Accessible, Inclusive and Reflective of Society

Health Education England and the Reading Agency have collaborated with health information and library specialists working in the NHS, prisons, public health and Higher Education to bring together ‘Your Health Collection’, a resource comprising of 10 books as well as 30 digital resources.

The books are in our Library available to borrow now, however the Library and Knowledge Services Team can also post them to you if you cannot visit us in person. The digital resources are accessible via the button below.

HEE-funded eBook collections

Leisure Reading

The concept and accessibility of leisure time has changed radically over the years, but there’s no replacement for leisure reading. Whether you want to catch up on a murder mystery, bubblegum romance, political novel or thriller, the Library has something to fit your mood.

We also have non-fiction: learn how to crochet, discover walks in the North East, or read a biography. Don’t worry if it is in another library, just ask, and we’ll get it for you.

You can also request new content for us to add to our collections. That’s right, you heard it here first – fiction and health libraries are not at odds with each other!

To see what’s already on offer, browse below.

Staff Book Club

Every month, Gateshead staff pick a book to be supplied by the Staff Library, read it, and discuss it on our dedicated Teams chat.

According to the Reading Agency, being part of a reading group boosts relaxation, calmness, concentration, quality of life, confidence and self-esteem, as well as feelings of shared community and common purpose.

Whether you are a bookaholic, or want to get back into reading, sign up and be part of the conversation.

Gateshead Public Libraries

Our Library and Knowledge Services Team work closely alongside Gateshead Public Libraries.

Gateshead Library membership gives access to Borrowbox. This digital collection gives you 24 hour access to thousands of e-books and hundreds of e-audiobooks, as well as newspapers and magazines.

With Borrowbox you can:

• borrow up to 15 eBooks and 8 eAudiobooks free of charge for 3 weeks
• avoid fines as books are returned automatically at the end of your loan period
• return books before the end of the 3 weeks – we would encourage you to do this as there is currently a big demand for titles
• renew your eBook or eAudiobook twice – you will be prompted to do this
• reserve the title and you will receive it on the date that the book is due to be returned. You may even receive the book earlier if it is returned before the due date
• access back copies of your favourite magazine titles

Find out more about this and Gateshead Libraries work below!

Peace and Relaxation

Sometimes you just have to get away from it all!

Visit the Library’s IT Suite and sitting areas, used for study, agile working and relaxation. We also have exam flashcards and other support materials, to help make the exam period easier for those who are studying.

The IT Suite is available to use 24/7, and also comes with an advance booking system for groups. Contact the Library and Knowledge Services Team to check for availability

Journals

Below are some of the wellbeing-focused journals our Library provides access to – you can browse these and other titles through our journal search tool.

• Anxiety, Stress & Coping
• Stress and Health
• Work and stress
• Journal of Loss and Trauma
• Occupational Health & Wellbeing

Literature Searching

Missing evidence to back up a new approach? Wondered about the impact of Covid-19 on staff wellbeing? What the evidence is on teaching and training resilience in health care workers, or the 5-ways to wellbeing model?

Look no further. Our Library and Knowledge Services Team can undertake a literature search for you, whether it’s to inform research, clinical teaching, service improvement or patient care. They can even supply you with any articles and books you may require – all for free! Sound good? Contact the team for further details.

Searches can be requested via the literature search request form, and article content request form.