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Libraries across the UK are preparing to offer specialised support kits for loan this winter to assist individuals struggling with seasonal affective disorder.
Following a successful two-year trial period in Scotland, the Wintering Well project is now being introduced across all four home nations.
Supported by funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), members of the public can access the boxes from Monday 26 October, the day after the clocks change.
Each package includes a therapeutic lamp that mimics natural sunlight to ease seasonal affective disorder (SAD) symptoms, alongside a practical guidebook featuring indoor and outdoor activities to help users build healthier winter routines.
Designed by academic researchers at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh in direct consultation with SAD sufferers, the boxes further provide access to a free online course.
Initially launched in East Dunbartonshire public libraries in 2024, the scheme expanded to Orkney and Glasgow in 2025, generating 1,000 total loans across these regions.
One early recipient, aged 76, revealed that borrowing a Wintering Well box prevented her from feeling “crushed” by the onset of winter.
Claire Charlwood borrowed the box from William Patrick Library in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire when they were first introduced in 2024.
Each package includes a therapeutic lamp that mimics natural sunlight to ease seasonal affective disorder (SAD) symptoms (PA)
Mrs Charlwood, who lives in Glasgow, said it has helped her make changes and cope better during the winter months.
She said: “Clocks are going to winter time soon, and although this is not something I welcome, I feel much more able to cope with it now.
“Two years ago, I borrowed the Wintering Well box from the library, unsure what it really could achieve for my Sad (Seasonal Affective Disorder), but prepared to give it a go.
“I was in for a pleasant surprise. The lamp is great, small enough to put next to my computer, ready to use every sunless morning. The booklet is full of good advice, and it’s comforting to know that I am not on my own dreading dark winter days.
“Last winter proved to be not so uphill, partly because using the lamp and going out for a walk every day in natural light (grey as it might be) helped me to compensate for the long dark nights and dreary days – but also because, instead of being crushed by winter, I felt I could be in control.
“Looking through the ‘sky frame’ included in the kit, which encourages people to pick a spot above and watch the light and the clouds change like it was a moving picture, helped me feel like I owned that bit of sky and feel more connected to the world around me.
“This year, I am ready to keep my head high and not let winter squash me.”
Professor Hester Parr of the University of Glasgow’s School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, has led the Wintering Well project since its inception.
She said: “Seasonal affective disorder can be debilitating for many people, who dread the annual effects of the shorter days and struggle to stay physically and mentally healthy through winter.
One early recipient revealed that borrowing a Wintering Well box prevented her from feeling “crushed” by the onset of winter (PA)
“When we began work on the Living with SAD research project which led to the development of the Wintering Well Box, we wanted to explore whether SAD was an annual inevitability or whether change was possible.
“With two years of real-world use and feedback from users now available, we can see that people can be helped to make changes that improve their winter wellbeing through the active, creative measures we’ve developed with input from people who live with SAD.
“Wintering Well Boxes have helped hundreds of people improve their mood, make healthy changes to their routines, and develop a brighter outlook on winter by adopting distinctive coping strategies. We’re excited to reach many more this time around.”
The project is co-led by Professor Hayden Lorimer of the University of Edinburgh.
He said: “We’re thrilled that library services in all four nations have given their support to the Wintering Well project, which is a direct result of the impact we’ve been able to make with the help of Scottish public libraries over the last couple of years.
“This winter may be more challenging for many as we face additional uncertainty about how the country will be affected by what is forecast to be the strongest El Niño for a thousand years.
“Our Wintering Well boxes aim to help people deal with those negative emotions through creative exercises, as well as offering free access to an online course to help them develop more healthy habits and improve their mental wellbeing.”
In England, the boxes will be available in North Yorkshire while in Scotland people will again be able to borrow them at libraries in Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and Orkney and also from libraries in East Renfrewshire which has now joined the scheme, and at Wester Hailes, Morningside and Muirhouse libraries in Edinburgh.
They will be available at libraries in Dungannon, Omagh, Portaferry and Glengormley in Northern Ireland, and in Wales at Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, Neath-Port Talbot, Blaenau-Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Powys, Conwy, Newport, Vale of Glamorgan and Caerphilly.
Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said: “Public libraries support wellbeing in countless ways, and the Wintering Well Box loan scheme is a brilliant example of how they help people take positive steps for their mental and physical health.”