A pop-up library appeared at Helix on Thursday to encourage visitors and local residents to take time out of their busy day to delve into a book or two.

Set up by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), with the help of Falkirk Council, the public was seen pledging to support the Keep the Heid and Read campaign.

The initiative encourages people of all ages and abilities to read every day to improve their mental health and wellbeing – starting with committing to reading for just six minutes on May 11.

The Scotland-wide initiative aims to promote positive, easy-to-implement change, with research showing that reading for six minutes a day can reduce stress by 68% in people of all ages.

Lesley O’Hare, Cultural Services Manager for Falkirk Council, said: ‘The Helix, hHome of the Kelpies are delighted to support the Keep the Heid and Read campaign and hope to see many visitors to our park enjoy our beautiful green spaces, while finding time to dive into a book – or a comic, or a magazine.

As Mental Health Week 2022 approaches – which runs from May 9-15 – the Keep the Heid and Read campaign is the perfect opportunity to take stock and establish a regular reading habit.

Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of SLIC, said: “Reading for pleasure can have a huge impact on our mental health, and that’s why we hope that as many people as possible will support and participate in the reading moment. national to see what it could do for their own welfare.

“With our local libraries full of quality reading material – whether you are looking for books, comics, poetry or even a cookbook – there is an abundance of free reading material on our doorstep, whatever your interests.

“So it’s time to reconnect with your local library services, sign up to commit to just six minutes of reading on May 11, and then incorporate these healthy habits into your daily life.”