In July and August, a cycle of psychological support sessions based on the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme was completed in Vinnytsia as part of the “Helping Hand for Ukraine” project.

The participants were children who had experienced displacement, lived through hostilities, or were from military families. The sessions took place at a collective accommodation facility for internally displaced people in Vinnytsia. 

The sessions focused on helping children better understand their emotional state and develop practical techniques for coping with the effects of war-related stress. An important part of the work involved addressing difficult memories and learning ways to respond to strong emotions.

According to the trainers, the children’s attitudes toward difficult memories gradually changed throughout the sessions. While these memories initially triggered strong emotional reactions, after learning and practising the techniques, participants were able to respond to them with less emotional distress.

One example of this change was a girl who had been forced to move from Kherson to Vinnytsia with her mother. Her father serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which caused her to worry about him and experience frightening dreams. At the beginning of the sessions, she was passive and spoke very little. Over time, she became more open to communication, made friends, and participated more actively in the exercises. By the end of the programme, the trainers observed an improvement in her overall emotional and psychological state.

Participation in the programme gives children an opportunity not only to receive support during the sessions, but also to develop techniques that they can use in everyday life. These skills can help them cope with fear, anxiety, emotional tension, and difficult memories.

The cycle of sessions in Vinnytsia was part of the work of HOPE worldwide Ukraine to expand access to psychological support and practical recovery tools for children affected by the war.

We thank our partners for the opportunity to continue this work and support children who need psychological assistance.

About the Project

“Helping Hand for Ukraine” is a charitable project of HOPE worldwide Ukraine through which children and young people receive psychological support based on the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme.

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This project was created by HOPE worldwide Ukraine thanks to a grant from the Children’s Resilience Fund: Providing Capacity Building and Funding to Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations in Ukraine. The programme is implemented by Crown Agents Ukraine and Integrity Action. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of Integrity Action and Crown Agents in Ukraine.

As part of the “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme, project trainers conducted two online psychological support groups for applicants to Bukovinian State Medical University.

The participants were young people who had experienced displacement or whose parents are serving on the front line. For these participants, the circumstances of war directly affect their emotional well-being and everyday lives, adding psychological pressure to an already important period of preparation and admission to higher education.

During the groups, participants learned techniques aimed at coping with the effects of war-related stress, regulating emotional tension, and restoring internal resources.

The online format made psychological support accessible regardless of the participants’ location.

These groups are part of the project’s ongoing efforts to expand access to psychological support for children and young people affected by the war.

The “Children and War: Teaching Recovery Techniques” programme helps participants develop practical skills that can be used for self-help and coping with stress in everyday life.

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The “Lisova Pisnia” children’s camp has completed a series of sessions based on the “Children and War: Learning Healing Techniques” program.

Over the course of two weeks, the children had the opportunity to talk about their experiences in a safe and supportive environment, better understand their emotions, and learn how to cope with stress and anxiety.

An important part of the program was learning practical self-regulation and recovery techniques that children can use not only during the sessions but also in their everyday lives — whenever they experience tension, fear, anxiety, or emotional overload.

We are grateful for the opportunity to be there for the children during this time and to help them take another step toward emotional recovery and psychological resilience.

“Children and War: Learning Healing Techniques” is about more than just the sessions. It is about skills that stay with children and can support them during difficult moments.

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