Social prescribing is all about looking at the bigger picture when it comes to health and wellbeing. It recognises that things like loneliness, financial worries, or lack of access to meaningful activities can have a real impact on how we feel. Through social prescribing, health professionals can connect people with non-clinical services — like community groups, creative workshops, or access to audiobooks — that can make a genuine difference to their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Books, especially audiobooks, can be a powerful tool in supporting mental health. Listening to audiobooks helps us feel more connected by hearing real voices, emotions, and accents that bring stories - and people - to life. That’s why prescribing books — particularly through accessible formats like audiobooks — is becoming an increasingly recognised part of holistic care. From fiction and poetry to self-help and biography, our collection supports emotional wellbeing, cognitive stimulation, and social connection.
If you're a social prescriber or community connector, and would like to recommend Listening Books as a resource, we can provide:
Listening Books is a valuable resource for social prescribing link workers looking to support mental health and reduce isolation. Audiobooks can ease anxiety, offer companionship, and provide cognitive stimulation — especially for people living with long-term conditions, disabilities, or learning differences.
Our service helps widen access to literature for those who cannot access printed books, and we offer a diverse collection to suit all tastes. Members can also join our Facebook Book Club, enjoy live author interviews through our Ask the Author series with the Virtual Village Hall, and receive a newsletter full of reviews, interviews, and competitions.
With a friendly team ready to help and a wide range of titles to enjoy together or alone, Listening Books is a meaningful addition to any social prescribing toolkit.
If you would like to recommend Listening Books as a resource, we can provide leaflets or other materials. Please get in touch by email to info@listening-books.org.uk or telephone 020 7407 9417.
"I'm really grateful to have access to this resource. I've always been an avid reader, but after falling ill with M.E, my eye muscles became fatigued too easily, and holding physical books was sometimes too tiring. It's been wonderful to be able to access books again, in an audio format, thanks so much!"
Katie
