Self Help Advice Available For Service Personnel

Carmarthenshire Library Service is helping to provide help for service and ex-service personnel in need of advice. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Library Service, in partnership with the Royal British Legion (Llanelli branch) and Royal Naval Association (Llanelli branch) have established a drop in library at the Royal Naval Association (RNA) Club in Swansea Road, Llanelli. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The books cover subjects such as stopping smoking, self-esteem issues and general well being, but there are books where the GP can give patients what looks like a library card which can be used to borrow what are known as Prescription Books. The transition from military life to civilian can be a long and difficult journey, but hopefully the support and assistance of these books can help this period. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dennis Morgan, Chair of RNA (Llanelli branch) said: “Members of the club are able to read and borrow these Self help books.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Peter Killick, Chair of Royal British Legion (Llanelli Branch) said that it was through talking to Carmarthenshire Libraries on another matter that Acting Outreach Team Manager Estelle Evans mentioned that Self Help/Prescription Books were available in the library. With partnership working, it was agreed that the RNA club, would be the first club in Carmarthenshire to host these books. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He added: “We are very pleased to work in partnership with the library as many service personnel and their families are unaware of where to get help and assistance. Perhaps, reading some of these self help books will help and support the friends and families of serving and ex-service personnel.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Estelle Evans said that she was aware of how difficult it is for the family and friends of those serving as her husband completed nearly 30 years in Royal Navy and as a Naval Reservist. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“If there are any other organisations who think that this service may help and support them, please contact the Library Service,” she added. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Executive board member for libraries Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is an excellent initiative by our Library Service in partnership with the British Legion and RNA. I would urge people serving in the forces or who have served to take advantage of this scheme to access advice.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​