Clacton hosts its first human library

STORIES were brought to life in Clacton’s first ever Human Library on Saturday.

Community Voluntary Services Tendring(CVST) hosted the Human Library as part of the Clacton Rocks event in the town.

From 11am people turned into ‘books’ to share their life stories as part of the #unjudgesomeone movement.

There were 17 ‘books’ available to read with topics including autism, dementia, grief, anorexia, adoption and more.

Lera Dmytriw, community connector for diverse communities at CVST, said: “The human library in Clacton was a brilliant event with so many different stories available – I took part myself and became a book.
“The concept of the human library comes from Copenhagen in 2000 with the idea that the books are people and reading is a conversation.

“After reading a book the hope is you learn not to judge others, much the same as the phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.”

The Human Library was part of Clacton Rocks – day of talks, drop-in events and family activities across the town as part of Essex Book Festival 2026.

CVST also hosted Tiptoes Creatives launch – a new group in Clacton for those wanting to explore journaling and creative writing to help their wellbeing, Art:Up Homecoming poetry reading and open mic, and Stand Up for Diversity Clacton’s evening of three-minute mini-talks and shout outs.

At CVST’s beach hut there was storytelling, pebble painting, a community litter pick, and a trash to treasure art workshop.

Caroline Szabo, CVST’s community development officer, organised and took part in the litter pick and art project at the beach hut.

She said: “It was fantastic to see so many people take part in our community beach litter pick supporting CleanUpUk.

“Children joined in too and there were smiles all round during our art project with the litter we found. The day left everyone feeling a real sense of community.”

Elsewhere Clacton Rocks also saw a Know Your Beach workshop, a Young Ones eco-workshop, a Creative Wellbeing workshop, and Attila the Stockbroker – a punk poet, multi-instrumentalist musician and songwriter.

Lisa Andrews, CVST’s chief officer, said: “We’re proud to have been part of the fantastic day of events led by Essex Cultural Diversity Project.

“The Human Library is such a brilliant idea and so many inspirational stories were on offer to ‘read’ about.

“We hope everyone had a wonderful day in Clacton.”

Jo Nancarrow, from Essex Cultural Diversity Project, said: “The Human Library and Stand Up For Diversity were organised by Essex Cultural Diversity Project in partnership with CVST, Essex Book Festival, the Human Library Organisation and Clacton Arts Centre, as part of Clacton Rocks.

“It was a truly inspiring day of events and collaboration.

“We were so happy to see people taking part and enjoying themselves in the wide range of events on offer.

“We had some lovely feedback at the human library event from readers saying how great the library was and how they enjoyed meeting a range of different people.

“And we were lucky to have such a diverse collection of ‘books’ with topics including therapy dog, Nigerian, raised in care, PTSD, adoption and more.”

For more information on CVST’s events at its hubs in Clacton and Hub, or weekly events and activities, visit www.cvstendring.org.uk.

To find out more about Essex Cultural Diversity visit essexcdp.com.