Deadline: 09-Aug-26
The Bury Community Safety Partnership is seeking eligible organisations to deliver the £25,000 Human Libraries Project, a 12-month initiative designed to strengthen community cohesion across Bury. The project supports lived-experience storytelling, dialogue, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and activities that challenge discrimination and build understanding between communities.
The opportunity is open to VCSE organisations and SMEs with experience in equality and inclusion work and strong links to Bury. The selected Lead Provider will manage programme delivery, partnerships, safeguarding, budgeting, evaluation, and community engagement activities.
What is the Bury Human Libraries Project?
The Bury Human Libraries Project is a 12-month community cohesion programme funded through the MHCLG Community Cohesion Unit and managed by the Bury Community Safety Partnership.
The project uses the Human Library model, where people share personal experiences and stories to encourage open conversations, reduce prejudice, and increase understanding between different communities.
The initiative aims to create safe spaces where residents can:
- Listen to lived experiences
- Challenge stereotypes and discrimination
- Build empathy and respect
- Develop stronger community connections
Funding Amount and Project Duration
The total available project funding is:
- Grant value: £25,000
- Project duration: 12 months
- Delivery area: Bury
The selected organisation will lead the design, coordination, and delivery of the Human Libraries programme throughout the funding period.
Project Objectives
The Bury Human Libraries Project aims to strengthen community relationships by focusing on:
- Challenging discrimination and prejudice
- Increasing empathy and understanding
- Supporting community cohesion and resilience
- Promoting lived-experience storytelling
- Creating opportunities for meaningful conversations
- Embedding trauma-informed approaches
- Advancing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
- Improving accessibility and representation
- Strengthening partnership working across local services
Who is Eligible?
Applications are open to organisations that can demonstrate experience in community engagement, inclusion, and equality-focused work.
Eligible applicants include:
- Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
- Organisations with a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Strong connections with communities in Bury
- Experience delivering community-based programmes
- Ability to manage safeguarding responsibilities
- Capacity to coordinate partnerships and stakeholders
- Ability to monitor outcomes and report project impact
Lead Provider Responsibilities
The successful Lead Provider will be responsible for managing and delivering the full Human Libraries programme.
Key responsibilities include:
Programme Coordination
The provider will:
- Plan and coordinate Human Library activities
- Organise community engagement sessions
- Work with local partners and stakeholders
- Ensure activities are accessible and inclusive
Recruiting Human Books and Facilitators
The Lead Provider will:
- Identify and recruit individuals willing to share lived experiences
- Train and support Human Books and facilitators
- Ensure storytelling is conducted safely and respectfully
Safeguarding and Trauma-Informed Practice
The provider must:
- Establish appropriate safeguarding processes
- Support participants sharing personal experiences
- Apply trauma-informed approaches during programme delivery
Financial and Project Management
The organisation will manage:
- Project budget and expenditure
- Monitoring requirements
- Evidence collection
- Interim reporting
- Final project reporting
How the Human Libraries Project Will Work
The programme will deliver activities across different community settings, including:
- Schools
- Libraries
- Community spaces
- Public sector locations
The project will include:
Live Human Library Sessions
Participants will take part in structured conversations where community members share personal stories and experiences.
These sessions aim to:
- Reduce prejudice
- Encourage dialogue
- Promote understanding between different groups
Digital Storytelling Resources
The project will create digital materials based on lived experiences to:
Training Materials and Resource Packs
The provider will develop:
- Facilitator guidance materials
- Training resources
- Programme delivery tools
These resources will help ensure consistent and effective delivery.
Evaluation and Impact Report
At the end of the programme, the Lead Provider must complete an evaluation report covering:
- Activities delivered
- Participation levels
- Community impact
- Learning outcomes
- Evidence of improved cohesion and understanding
Why It Matters
Community cohesion programmes help create safer and more inclusive communities by encouraging people to understand experiences different from their own.
The Human Libraries approach supports:
- Greater awareness of inequality and discrimination
- Stronger relationships between diverse communities
- Increased trust between residents and organisations
- Improved social resilience
- More inclusive community spaces
By sharing real-life experiences, the project helps replace assumptions and stereotypes with meaningful human connections.
How to Apply for the Bury Human Libraries Project
Eligible organisations should prepare an Expression of Interest demonstrating their ability to deliver the programme.
Applications should explain:
- Organisation Experience
- Previous work in community engagement, equality, or inclusion.
- Local Connection
- Evidence of strong relationships with communities in Bury.
- Delivery Approach
- How Human Library sessions and storytelling activities will be organised.
- Safeguarding Approach
- How participant safety and wellbeing will be protected.
- Partnership Plan
- How the organisation will collaborate with schools, libraries, community groups, and public services.
- Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
- How progress and outcomes will be measured.
Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid
Organisations should avoid:
- Providing a generic application without Bury-specific evidence
- Failing to explain safeguarding arrangements
- Not demonstrating experience with vulnerable or diverse communities
- Underestimating partnership coordination requirements
- Providing unclear plans for measuring impact
Tips for a Strong Expression of Interest
Applicants can strengthen their submission by:
- Highlighting previous community cohesion projects
- Demonstrating strong local partnerships
- Explaining how lived experiences will be collected safely
- Showing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Providing clear outcome measurements
- Including realistic delivery plans for the 12-month period
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Bury Human Libraries Project?
The Bury Human Libraries Project is a 12-month community cohesion initiative that uses lived-experience storytelling and facilitated conversations to challenge prejudice and strengthen understanding between communities.
How much funding is available?
The project has a total funding value of £25,000 for 12 months of delivery.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include VCSE organisations and SMEs with an equality and inclusion focus and strong connections to Bury.
What will the successful organisation deliver?
The Lead Provider will deliver Human Library sessions, develop digital storytelling resources, create facilitator materials, manage partnerships, oversee safeguarding, and complete project evaluation.
Where will activities take place?
Activities will be delivered across community settings such as schools, libraries, community spaces, and public sector venues.
What skills should applicants demonstrate?
Applicants should demonstrate experience in community engagement, equality and inclusion work, safeguarding, partnership management, and project evaluation.
What is the Human Library approach?
The Human Library approach involves people sharing personal stories and experiences through structured conversations to encourage empathy, challenge stereotypes, and promote social inclusion.
Conclusion
The Bury Human Libraries Project provides a £25,000 opportunity for organisations to strengthen community cohesion through storytelling, dialogue, and inclusive engagement. The selected Lead Provider will play a key role in creating meaningful connections, reducing prejudice, and supporting a more understanding and resilient community across Bury.
For more information, visit Bury VCFA.