Orkney's light therapy lending scheme helps tackle winter blues

“Boxes of light” are being used to help people who struggle with low winter mood while living in one of Scotland’s darkest communities as part of a wider research initiative to support the million-plus sufferers of seasonal affective disorder (Sad) across Britain.

- Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent

Residents of Orkney have been able to borrow a Wintering Well Box from their library since the clocks went back in October, with the kits already proving “super popular” according to Sue House, an assistant librarian at Orkney Library - the oldest public library in Scotland and coincidentally an online sensation, thanks to its goofy social media presence.

“With only six hours of daylight in wintertime there’s a growing awareness there are some very positive things you can do for yourself,” says House, who explains the constituent parts of the box - a therapeutic lamp to help counteract the negative effects of low light levels on mental health and a guidebook with tips on simple indoor and outdoor activities to develop a new winter routine, as well as access to free online resources.