Join us for the launch of this creative anthology made in response to the racist riots in the UK

In August, there were riots across the UK targeting racialised minorities, especially those seeking sanctuary. As academics and NGO staff from migrant backgrounds, we wanted to provide support and solidarity for people who were targeted by these racist riots. We did this by creating the opportunity for sanctuary seekers to write poetry, stories and art around the topic.

We want this event and the anthology to be a space for community healing, the sharing of political demands, and awareness raising on the mental health impacts of the riots. We want to provide opportunities where people can tell their stories on their own terms. Sanctuary seekers have so much to offer each other and the UK – their many different languages, cultures, artistic practices, and knowledge systems are a gift. This anthology is a small example of this.

Join us to hear live readings and performances from poets and artists who will share their work, explain their thinking, and talk about what needs to change. We’ll be joined by emerging and established poets, including Reem Alksiri and many more to be announced soon.

Book your ticket here.

This event will take place in the Chapel at King's College London. The Chapel is located on the first floor of the King's Building directly above the Great Hall. 

More about the project

This project started as a partnership between Doctors of the World (Anna Miller), Room to Heal (Sebastian Short, Angelina Jalonen) and Dr Sohail Jannesari (King’s College London, Imperial College London).

It is also kindly supported by Dr Nimi Hoffmann (University of Sussex), Laura Nyahuye (Maokwo), Megan Fletcher, the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, and the Refugee Mental Health and Place Network at King’s. The anthology is funded by Disrupt and Doctors of the World.

For any questions about the anthology, email Sohail at sohail.jannesari@kcl.ac.uk.

Accessibility

We would like all of our events to be inclusive and accessible. Please do not hesitate to contact us by email to trudy.1.mensah@kcl.ac.uk to let us know if you have any access requirements or to find out more about this event.

More information

Refugee Mental Health and Place Network

The Refugee Mental Health and Place Network is a growing network of researchers and community organisations exploring post-migration factors and refugee mental health. We seek to strengthen interdisciplinary expertise and intersectoral capacity to inform health and social policy to help improve mental health outcomes for refugees and asylum seekers. Read more in our recent blog on Understanding the role of place in refugee mental health to inform policy.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Directory for Refugees and Migrants in London

The MHPSS Directory is a broad and detailed list of organisations providing mental health and social support services to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in London and Greater London. Click here to find out more and to download the directory.

ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health

The ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health develops research to promote and sustain good mental health in communities. We aim to shift public debate about mental health away from a focus on individualised interventions, towards social practices and policies that promote and sustain good mental health.