Stockport's libraries are playing a bigger role than ever in local communities this summer.
This summer also marks an important milestone, with every Stockport library now a Live Well Space. Residents can visit their local library for friendly, face-to-face information, advice and support, with signposting to a wide range of services covering health and wellbeing, money, work, family life, community activities and staying connected.
Live Well is about making it easier for people to find the right support, in the right place, at the right time. Alongside Stockport's libraries, Live Well support is also available through leisure centres, Family Hubs, Cornerstone, Stockroom and the online Live Well directory.
The announcement follows a successful Festival of Libraries programme, which saw Stockport Libraries join libraries across Greater Manchester in celebrating reading, creativity and community.
The festival, the largest of its kind in the country, showcased the rich variety of resources these community hubs have to offer, with indicative data showing more than 94,000 people attended events across Greater Manchester.
In Stockport, the programme included Book Fairies visiting local parks and leaving free books by Corinne Bailey Rae for residents to discover. Ten Stockport families also joined others from across Greater Manchester for a special meet-the-author event at Stockroom.
Families were also able to enjoy performances of The Librarians from award-winning theatre company Box of Bits at Reddish and Brinnington libraries, bringing together the characters Miss Book and Mr Page in a bilingual performance for deaf and hearing audiences aged four to nine, using BSL and spoken English.
Local schools were invited to attend the interactive performances, giving children the chance to experience storytelling in a new and engaging way.
Feedback from Westmorland School in Brinnington highlighted the impact of the sessions, with staff saying: “The children who were chosen to tell their stories loved that chance to share, and one boy in particular giggled his way through and just shone.”
They added: “It gave the children who may not have known about the library the chance to see inside and all the books that they could borrow.”
Neighbourhood libraries also hosted author events for adults and children, a writing for wellbeing workshop at Cheadle Library, environmental activities with Roundview and an acrobatic performance for children from Bridgehall Primary School.
A summer of activity for all ages
The celebrations come as we promote our 50 Things to Do in Stockport summer programme, showcasing affordable and accessible activities for children, young people, families and residents of all ages. Libraries feature strongly in the programme, with activities including the Summer Reading Challenge, board games at Stockroom, free activities and refreshments, creative sessions and local events designed to help people make the most of the summer.
Weekly Storytime sessions are also available at libraries across Stockport, giving families a free and friendly way to introduce young children to books, songs and rhymes.
Libraries already support residents in many practical ways, from digital support and work and skills drop-ins to social groups, activities for families and opportunities to meet others. By bringing Live Well into libraries, the council is building on the trusted role libraries already play in local neighbourhoods, helping more people access support close to home.
Cllr Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection, said:
"Libraries are one of our greatest community assets. They're places where people of all ages can discover something new, spend time together and find help when they need it.
“Whether you're taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge, bringing little ones along to Storytime or looking for information, advice and support through Live Well, there's something for everyone. I hope residents take the opportunity to visit their local library this summer - it's a great place to start."
You can find out more about summer activities, visit their local library to see what's on, or explore Live Well support online.