This post was written by Connect: North Korea.
As an organisation working directly with North Korean escapees in the UK, we know how vital culturally sensitive, trauma-informed wellbeing support is; and how often it is missing.
At Connect North Korea, we support individuals who have experienced unimaginable trauma. Many of our service users face ongoing challenges including social isolation, language barriers, and limited access to mainstream mental health services. Social prescribing—when done in ways that centre community voices and lived experience—can offer a lifeline.
We’re proud to contribute to the Community Research Hub in Kingston, where we can elevate the voices of North Korean escapees, share stories about meaningful local spaces and places, build bridges with local services, and contribute to creating better pathways to emotional wellbeing and connection.
As the project unfolds, we’re looking forward to sharing insights from this collaborative piece of work. As well as updating on our work from speaking in Parliament, to making art, to community events.
We are excited for the opportunity to include the stories and reflections of community members who often go unheard in traditional research and policy spaces.
This is not just about inclusion—it’s about (an) abundance: of care, of listening, and of action.