Uplifting and inspiring stories have been shared as part of the successful ‘Our Living Library’ community event in Chichester.
People of all ages were invited to the Assembly Rooms in North Street last month, where they could borrow a “human book” and hear first-hand accounts from people sharing their personal experiences.
The event featured a wide range of stories, including a local marine biologist and oceanographer who spoke about setting up Harbour Oysters, as well as a resident living with cerebral palsy. Visitors also heard from a textile designer who creates handbags from repurposed men’s suits, a contributor discussing the healing power of horses, and a mother who shared her story of leaving Ukraine with her two children.
Attendees were encouraged to relax with coffee and cake while listening to the stories, creating an informal and welcoming atmosphere. Alongside the live experiences, visitors could also listen to a radio story by Chichester Festival Theatre’s Festival Friday of “Sandal the Piper”.
Sarah Peyman, Divisional Manager for Culture and Sport at Chichester District Council says: “It was such a wonderful day, with a real cross section of the community coming along to take part and hear these stories. One of the people who attended said they had been through a challenging time recently and felt ‘lifted up’ by the event and described it as a gem which was so lovely to hear. People were in tune with the fact that this was an opportunity to step away from phones and other screens and connect with people on a one-to-one level, and all those who attended gained real insight into other people's lives and experiences.”
The event marked the culmination of a three-month project led by Culture Spark, funded by the UK Government and delivered by Chichester District Council in partnership with Chichester Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery.
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