Twelve interesting people who call Ashburton home will share special stories about their lives as part of the Ashburton Public Library’s human book event on Sunday 25 September.

Local Lives is an event that will bring interesting, inspiring and insightful stories from members of our community and people can book a 20-minute session to have a one-on-one conversation and connect with them.

The event is being offered during Mental Health Awareness Week and is a collaboration between the library and Keep Learning Mid Canterbury.

Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said the five ways to wellbeing included Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.

“This local lives event has been designed to connect you with people you may otherwise not meet, and their stories are definitely inspiring.”

People can book through the Council’s website, for time slots between 1.30pm and 4pm on Sunday 25 September, and reserve time with more than one of the human books. You are also welcome to call the library to book on 03 308 7192.

Among the human books is Haider Ahmadi, who works for the Refugee Settlement Support Service in Ashburton. Haider, who is originally from Afghanistan, can talk about his failed attempt to reach Australia 21 years ago, in a perilous journey by fishing boat.

He was rescued by the Tampa container ship and detained on Nauru Island, before being able to settle in New Zealand.

Other human books available to talk to on 25 September include local author Stacey Broadbent, young ballet dancer Tāma Graham who has been offered a scholarship to dance at the Nervi festival in Italy, and Pup Chamberlain, a long-time police officer who now works in the field of suicide prevention.