Suffolk Libraries to expand its wellbeing service thanks to Arts Council funding

Suffolk Libraries is launching a new ‘Moving Minds’ project to improve people’s wellbeing in the county. The project is being funded by Arts Council England funding and will expand on the work Suffolk Libraries has already been doing to support people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

The project builds on the success of Suffolk Libraries’ Jumpstart programme which was initially a wellbeing campaign run each January and has gone from strength to strength with an ongoing programme of free physical activity run in libraries and online. The current Jumpstart programme has been running since the start of 2023.

The Moving Minds programme will officially launch on 1 April and run for one full year. It aims to improve wellbeing, engage and connect communities, and combat loneliness. Suffolk Libraries already has a thriving wellbeing and mental health service and Moving Minds recognises the importance that physical health and exercise can have a positive effect on someone’s mental wellbeing.

There will be individual launches of aspects of the programme in the coming months with Moving Minds to include:

• New Jumpstart activities. These will be free to access physical activity classes available to everyone. There will be a variety of in-person sessions at a library or online activities is offered throughout the year.
• ‘Move It’ free to loan sports equipment and videos/guidance from Suffolk Libraries explaining how to use this equipment safely and in a way which benefits your physical health and wellbeing.
• Suffolk Libraries is also already canvassing local businesses for their views on its new ‘Fit For Work’ programme. This will include offering space and time in libraries so that SME employers can dedicate more time to staff wellbeing, including free physical activity sessions.

Fit for Work and Move It are planned to launch in June with the funding allowing Jumpstart sessions to continue from April 2024.

Jane Cox, Suffolk Libraries Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to launch this new programme which builds on the success of our existing wellbeing work and Jumpstart programme. Thanks to the funding from the Arts Council, Moving Minds will support people at all stages of their lives, to develop and increase their participation in more high-quality activities which support their health and wellbeing.

"We’ve found that offering physical fitness and wellbeing sessions in libraries can be more accessible and appealing to people who might not otherwise feel like trying an activity or might feel the gym or leisure centre is for them.”

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