Service Users and Carers :: Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust

Library Services

Where are the Trust libraries?

The Trust has two libraries at St George's Hospital in Stafford and The Redwoods Centre in Shrewsbury
To visit the Redwoods library, please ask reception and a member of staff will come to collect you. It's better to arrange a time to visit the library in advance
Both Libraries are open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm
You do not need to visit the library to access some of our services, you can also choose to email or phone the library

What can the library help me do?

Find books and journals on health topics to read in the library
Find information on health topics and show you where to look for good quality health information
Find a specific article on a condition or treatment that you want to read
Access quality health information websites and mobile applications
Both libraries have computers with internet access. If you want to use your own device, WIFI is available.

Read our guide for Service Users and Carers.

Do I need to pay?

It's free to visit the library, use our computers or WiFi and read our books. Staff are also happy to signpost you towards quality information sources free of charge.

You will need to pay for some of our services such as printing and requesting articles, please see the current charges below:

Self-service photocopying and printing	5p per sheet
Requesting a specific article	£2 per article

Looking for information online

Download our list of quality online health information sources

When looking for health information online, use the tips below to help you to choose between good and poor quality websites, for accessing health information:

Has the website got a date displayed?
This will show how recently the website has been updated

Who has written the information and has the organisation got a good reputation?
This will show if they are qualified to provide the information and the quality of the information

Is the organisation trying to sell you something?
This may influence the type of information published on the website

Look out for the Information Standard quality mark. It is awarded to organisations producing clear, accurate and up to date inform

Websites

Download our list of quality online health information sources

Choice and Mediction: https://www.choiceandmedication.org/south-staffs	Facts sheets, printable leaflets and work books on mental health conditions, treatments and medications
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/	Information on local health services, conditions and treatments Over 100 healthy living topics including alcohol, fitness and eating healthy Guides for people with care and support needs
Patient UK: https://patient.info/	Information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illnesses Videos, slideshows and diagrams and symptom checker Discussion forums and blogs
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/	Information and support on drugs and treatments Tips on living with mental health problems Blogs and stories from those living with mental health problems.
Royal College of Psychiatrists: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health	Information on treatment and wellbeing for young people, teachers, parents and carers Information on mental capacity and the law Podcasts of people's experiences of mental health issues
Alzheimer's Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/	Factsheets on symptoms, diagnosis and treatments Advice on daily living, staying independent and finance
Beat (Eating Disorders): https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/	Articles, booklets and leaflets on eating disorders Message boards and online support groups Self-help book reviews and glossary of eating disorder terms

Mobile apps

Physical Health:

NHS Quit Smoking
Provides you with a daily message to support you during the first 30 days of stopping plus instant tips and facts at any time. Available for Apple and Android (free).

Mental Health:

	Self Help from NTW Gives you access to the full range of 23 mental health self-help guides by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. Available for Apple or Android (free).
	Prodigy Patient A NICE accredited medical app that gives information about a number of illnesses. Available for Apple, Android or Windows (free).
	Mood Tracker Tyneside Mind Mood Tracker is an interactive mood rating system and personal journal. Available for Apple and Android (free).
	SAM Self-help for Anxiety Management A user-friendly app that offers a range of self-help methods for people who are serious about learning to manage their anxiety. Available for Apple and Android (free).
	My House of Memories Allows you to explore objects from the past and share memories together. It can be used by anyone, but has been designed for, and with, people living with dementia and their carers. Available for Apple and Android (free).

Daily Living:

My Staffordshire
(Free) Available for Apple and Android - Access all your council services on the move

Everyday Telford
(Free) Available for Apple, Android and Windows - App from Telford & Wrekin Council

Self-help leaflets

The Trust have produced a number of self-help leaflets for service users on subjects such as anxiety, stress and depression and low mood.

Click on the image below to view, download and print the leaflets.

Reading groups

Arts for Health work with artists, musicians, writers and other creative professionals to deliver stimulating activities for service users.

Find out where your nearest Reading Well book group is, and how you can get involved, contact the Arts for Health Team.

Mobile patient library

We have a mobile patient library that visits the wards at The Redwoods Centre and St. George's.

We currently stock books on a variety of subjects and are always on the look-out for book, magazine or audio book donations!

For more information on the service user library, contact Ceri Williams: ceri.williams@mpft.nhs.uk

The Recovery College

The MPFT Recovery College offer recovery focused education and training, with courses running predominantly in community venues accross South Staffordshire and Shropshire.

With over 25 different courses to choose from including introduction to mindfulness, self-harm education and life after discharge. Find out more about the Recovery College and how to get involved via their website or email: wellbeingREC@mpft.nhs.uk

Public libraries

Public library services:

Books and E-books to borrow on physical and mental health topics
Computer and internet access with printing and photocopying facilities and staff on hand to help you
A range of leisure books to borrow and quiet space to sit and read
Reading groups and activities which can help you maintain good general mental health and wellbeing

Find out where your nearest public library is by visiting the Staffordshire, Shropshire or Telford and Wrekin Council websites:

Staffordshire Council: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Homepage.aspx

Shropshire Council: http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/

Telford and Wrekin Council: http://www.telford.gov.uk/