Life can be busy and it isn’t always easy to find time for yourself, but simply taking ten minutes to relax with a book can have a positive impact on your mental health.
That’s why on Thursday 10 October, World Mental Health Day, residents across Rotherham are invited to take 10 minutes to read their favourite book or magazine or listen to an audiobook or podcast.
Rotherham Council has been inspired by the Take 10 to Read campaign from the National Literacy Trust. The campaign aims to encourage children, families and adults to pick up the habit of reading for pleasure, starting with just 10 minutes.
Teaming up with The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, on Thursday 10 October, the National Literacy Trust will be visiting Rotherham Hospital to hand out books to young readers and inspire families to read together at home.
Research from the National Literacy Trust in 2023 showed that less than half of children (43.4 per cent) in the UK enjoy reading in their free time.
This matters because three in five (59.4 per cent) children who read at least once a month stated that reading helps them to relax and those who enjoy reading are three times more likely to read above the level expected for their age as those who don’t enjoy reading.
Libraries across Rotherham are inviting residents to come along to borrow a book for free and take ten minutes to read in their warm, friendly buildings.
Laura Macauley, Programme Manager from the National Literacy Trust, said: “We are thrilled that Rotherham Council has been inspired by our Take 10 to Read campaign in support of World Mental Health Day.
“Our campaign raises awareness of the positive impact that reading has on mental health and wellbeing, and this year, we are giving out books to families in Rotherham Hospital to inspire a love of reading.
“Our research from 2023 showed the lowest levels of reading enjoyment in young people aged eight to 18 years recorded in the UK since 2005, so initiatives like this are helping to increase children’s enjoyment of books.”
The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust’s Director of People, Daniel Hartley, said: “We’re encouraging everybody – our people, our patients, their families and their friends - to get involved and ‘take 10’ minutes out of your day to read.
“When we read, we have the chance to get away from the pressures of our daily lives. It doesn’t matter whether you like reading books, magazines or prefer listening to audiobooks or podcasts. Taking the time to read or listen to something you enjoy can help you relax, boost your mood and improve your wellbeing.
“This is especially important on Thursday 10 October, which is also World Mental Health Day. When we ‘take 10’, take a moment to reflect on your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your loved ones.
“Visit RotherHive’s website if you would like to learn more about the wellbeing support available in Rotherham.”
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Neighbourhood Working, Cllr David Sheppard, said: “I encourage everyone to join in and take ten minutes to read, whether they read by themselves or read to a family member. Reading is a very personal and very rewarding hobby.
“It has many benefits for your mental health and has been shown to help you develop your social and personal skills. Many people who read have a greater sense of empathy, as well as better critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
“With 15 libraries across Rotherham offering books in fiction and non-fiction as well as large print and audio books, all for free, I highly recommend visiting your local library and getting started with a library card.”
For more information and to find your local library, go to www.rotherham.gov.uk/libraries.