Salford’s first ‘Living Library’ came to life offering people in the community a chance to hear stories from local people.
Organised by Salford City College Group, the project aimed to encourage powerful storytelling and was designed to challenge stereotypes and foster understanding in the community.
The event was hosted at the Pendleton Gateway today (Friday 20 June), encouraging residents to hear from twelve different Salford voices.
Throughout the day, the ‘Living Library’ saw over 100 people visit, and encouraged people to ‘borrow’ people instead of books.
Salford residents were able to hear the human books personal, raw, and honest stories that challenge perceptions and break down barriers.
Guests were invited to speak to people and hear stories, such as Kasia’s, a mother who tragically lost her teenage son to suicide.
Her story is one of grief, trauma, healing, and hope. She’s now helping others through JaksWorld, a charity dedicated to suicide prevention and supporting those affected by loss.
As well as hearing from a Salford soldier named Mark, who served in Berlin during the Cold War.
His story took residents from Salford to the tense frontlines of history, living next door to Rudolf Hess, and reflects on his experiences as a young soldier.
And Bev, a woman who has struggled with hoarding, stemming from personal loss and trauma. She shares her journey through recovery, faith, and her work with others in a peer-led group supporting hoarders.
As well as those there were many more voices to hear from, this was furthered by event organiser Taibah Roberts, Salford City College Group.
She said: “For us, we wanted to do something around community cohesion, and telling the untold stories, as we believe that everybody has a story.
“We know that some people don’t like picking up a newspaper, or reading a book, or watch the news – so we thought that dialogue would be the solution.
“So, we reached out to the community, and got 12 books, 12 stories from people.”
Taibah continued: “It has been amazing to see the response from this, as we have had some much inter-generational communication. We have seen children who are not so keen on reading, interact with the human books.”
The initial idea of the event came from the Norwegian human libraries, as Taibah continued.
“It started off as an idea with Norwegian library experiment – that was used to breakdown societal norms and started community cohesion.
“We want to create integration in the community, and encourage human connections, and get people away from screens, encourage conversation and human connection.”
And the impact of the event was clear, when a local resident named John shared his experience, after talking to Kasia.
He said: “It was great to speak to someone and hear someone’s story, I spoke with Kasia and hear her story and hearing that there are people to talk to and the service the charity Jak’s World offer was brilliant.
“She gave me a lot of information and was great to hear of the work done in the community.”
John continued: “A service like this is brilliant, as it gives people someone to talk to, people may be on their own and suffering and do something like this is amazing.”
The event intends to be an annual event, that will allow the community to engage with real people and real stories for all to hear. More information can be found here.
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