Inspirational

The latest stories

Collated by Bradford People Library

Bradford’s People Library is a collection of ‘human books’ highlighting the many things we have in common as human beings, as well as celebrating our differences. Read on for inspiring stories from people born and bred or newly arrived and who live in all parts of our wonderful district. Demonstrating that there is always more to a human ‘book’ than just its cover.

To find out more about the People Library, and how you could tell your story, please click here.

Life is a journey
Finding safety and freedom in music, the Yorkshire landscape and the LGBTQ community. “Most of the time young people feel there’s no safety to just express...
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Ordinary and Extraordinary
The power of stories and art in connecting people and places. “I grew up in Manningham, so the park and Cartwright Hall were close by. We pretty much went every week,...
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Football, Books and Bears
How one football coach's idea is breaking down literacy barriers across Bradford “I had everything going for me growing up, but it would strike fear down my spine every...
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People just like you
“We were trying to save our lives, but the future was uncertain…” A story from one of the ‘most discriminated people in the world’* Everyone expected...
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Whose are yous?
Overcoming 900 years of segregation to find a home and belonging in Bradford. Belonging is a fundamental building block to life, as it allows you to build a...
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Finding fulfilment in a shed
Tackling mental health and wellbeing through shared passions and community “If you sit twelve men in a circle and ask them to chat about their problems, the...
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Staring at a new world
I was a frightened 16 year old, staring at a new world, longing for safety and a happy home. I came to the UK when I was sixteen with the help of the Red Cross, after...
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Fatherhood
It's important for fathers to know that they are important figures in their children’s’ lives and that it's OK to have a strong connection with your child. I was...
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I’m Possible
To box for a world title was a dream come true... There was a little room with all its windows covered except for a small square and I would sit there and watch them...
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This Is Me
“I couldn't understand why my body was like it was…” My story is about the difficulties of learning to love and accepting my body.  I remember as a...
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Running Away
I fell in love and married in my home town of Reading, Berkshire in 1974, I thought we were both going to continue to live there but my husband thought otherwise, his...
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