People are Stories
It's when good neighbours become good friends....
What we do:
Train volunteers and staff to become skilled People Are Stories storytellers and coordinators.
Work with government to use festivals, libraries and events to create intercultural events.
Design simple activities that help people who would not usually meet to connect.
Provide practical tools, prompts and guides that make conversations easy to run.
Help councils adapt the approach for different communities, places and events.
Build volunteer confidence to run People Are Stories independently over time.
Help councils turn existing community activities into stronger opportunities for connection and cohesion.
The impact for Council
More value from events as them to build connection, not just attendance.
Stronger understanding between people who wouldn't ordinarily meet.
A trained local volunteer team able to run intercultural conversations across libraries, festivals and other council settings.
A repeatable model that can be used across council departments, locations and with community organisations.
Greater visibility of people who are often overlooked, helping council reach residents who may not attend consultations, complete surveys or engage through usual channels.
More inclusive community events that help people feel they are involved in and belong to their community.
“We need face-to-face, interpersonal connections, incorporating eye-contact. They help us form our morality and our worldview, and they keep us in touch with flesh-and-blood reality.”
Hugh Mackay AO
Why we need our neighbours more than ever
Eureka Street, March 2026