North Yorkshire libraries offer kits to tackle winter blues

According to figures from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, more than one million people in the UK are estimated to live with SAD during the winter months as a result of reduced access to natural light.

The Wintering Well boxes were developed by researchers from the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh in consultation with people who experience symptoms of SAD during the shorter and darker days of winter.

Prof Hester Parr, from the University of Glasgow, attended a launch event at Harrogate Library on Wednesday.

“Although most of us feel a bit gloomy in winter, there’s a proportion of people for whom this is really profound,” she explains.

“Every autumn and winter when the light is less strong, it kickstarts a feeling of low mood and for some people that progresses into a really kind of problematic depression which affects every aspect of their lives.”

Parr says that with the resources in the boxes, people will be guided to “take ownership of the winter season” by making small and manageable changes to their thinking and practices.

A total of 16 public library services across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland will share 600 of the boxes this year, with North Yorkshire being the first and only library service in England to loan out the kits.

Jenny says she certainly hopes her own kit will lead to some improvements during the coming winter months.

“Hopefully, come March, I will feel much better,” she says.