Library project helps to chase away the ‘January Blues’
Published: 20 January 2025
A project which is helping East Dunbartonshire library users to tackle low winter moods is being hailed as a success.
A project which is helping East Dunbartonshire library users to tackle low winter moods is being hailed as a success.
In late October last year, people across the region became the first in Scotland to be given the opportunity to take some extra sunlight home to help them deal with low winter moods.
Since the clocks went back, visitors to four local libraries have had the chance to borrow a ‘Wintering Well Box’ including a SAD lamp which replicates the physiological benefits of real sunlight.
https://youtu.be/6gKcsT9XO2Q
The box also contains a handbook called Light is a Right: A Guide to Wintering Well and free access to an online course designed to help tackle the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
The initiative is the latest development in ‘Living with SAD’, an ongoing research project examining the mental and physical effects of long dark winters, led by academics from the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is currently partnered with East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust (EDLCT).
This week, local library users told the project team about how the scheme was going:
Library user Karen said: “I have really enjoyed this experience and have been able to embrace winter so far this year rather than fighting or hiding from it. I told all my friends about it and three of them also got the boxes one of whom has been sharing his day lamp with her elderly mum who is house bound. More of these kits should be available across the country.”
“I didn’t know what to expect - it was like opening a lovely, unexpected birthday present with all the nice things in it,” said Wintering Well Box user Mick.
Sheila said: “With the darkness in winter, it sometimes feels like you’re never able to see the sun. You are up in the dark and go to your work, then when you leave your work, it’s dark again. I found it wonderful to give me a boost of light in the dark morning. It really improved my mood and my energy levels.”
Chair of East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust, Councillor Jim Gibbons, said: ‘We have been overwhelmed by the reaction to the Wintering Well boxes in the libraries. Within a week of having them available, every single one of them was out on loan! The project has also started some really positive conversations in our libraries about how to approach wintertime and take care of your wellbeing during the darker months. People are really connecting with the lamp and the resources - it is improving their experience of winter which is so encouraging to hear."
Professor Hester Parr, of the School of Geographical & Earth Sciences, is one of the leaders of the Living with SAD project. She said: ““January is one of the most challenging months for people with SAD or low winter mood. The creative resources in the Wintering Well box include a novel daily guide to how to live with low winter light in positive ways. I am delighted that library users are benefitting from this new scheme. We will continue to collect feedback throughout winter to help us guide the next stage of Living with SAD, which could involve bringing lamps and resources to many other communities across Scotland.”
The Wintering Well boxes are available from William Patrick Library in Kirkintilloch and the libraries in Bishopbriggs, Lennoxtown and Milngavie. East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust can also transfer boxes to other local libraries on request.
A total of 100 lamps are available for library-users to borrow for four-week loan periods. The libraries are also hosting mini-exhibitions made up of images of everyday experiences of SAD, created by participants in the team’s Wintering Well workshops.
The distribution of the lamps and the Wintering Well packs is being funded by a grant from UKRI’s ESRC Impact Acceleration Account. The book and free course resources are also being delivered to 80 NHS GP practices in Glasgow through the Community Link Worker system.
First published: 20 January 2025