MMHA, alongside our lived experience champions, were chosen to be the co-production partner for The Reading Agency, a charity that works with libraries, prisons, hospitals and other community settings to empower people of all ages to read. Specifically, this was to co-create a programme called ‘Reading Well for Families’ which offers book lists specifically selected to help manage maternal mental health and wellbeing in England and Wales.
Via co-production workshops, book reviews, representation at each book selection meeting, input into the use of language and the design of materials/title of the scheme, and supporting the parliamentary launches in England and Wales, the MMHA lived experience champions were integral to the project.
The scheme ‘Reading Well for Families’ has the strapline ‘Books to support families wellbeing from conception to two’ and consists of 21 books in England and 22 books in Wales plus additional digital resources to support the scheme. Conditions covered in the final list include:
The representation of LGBTQ+, Black women and neurodivergence is embedded throughout the list, as well as books to support partners and families, and a balanced representation of lived experience voices with personal stories reflected throughout the books too.
The aim was to co-produce a reading scheme to support managing maternal mental health and wellbeing in England and Wales. The Reading Agency works with charities and lived experience representatives to centre lived experience in the process, from selection to delivery.
A maternal mental health and wellbeing resource formed of a list of 21 books in England and 22 books in Wales. There will also be additional digital resources.
To find out more about the project please contact Maria Bavetta on Maria@maternalmentalhealthalliance.org
