Project name: "Space for psychological relief in a shelter for IDPs"
Since the beginning of the war, the dormitory of the Higher Vocational School No. 3, like many other similar institutions, has become a shelter for dozens of families of internally displaced persons. A shared kitchen, shared bathrooms, a small room for each family. Children felt the most lack of space - they needed a separate space for games or study. This gap was solved by the initiative group of the shelter, which received a microgrant from AREAC.
The initiative group renovated the spacious hall on the second floor, equipped it with furniture, equipment, art supplies, and other necessary things for holding events to support mental health.
Now families who lost their homes during the war and found shelter in this hostel can participate in psychological recovery activities, relax together, work or study remotely, arrange joint film screenings, or simply be alone in a cozy atmosphere. There are several zones here: for study and relaxation; a game zone with board games; a reading zone; a home theater zone with cozy beanbag chairs for comfortable movie watching.
The project activities covered 172 people, which was more than planned, due to the demand, primarily from young people, for participation in various events, the desire to be part of collective projects, master classes, and information sessions to maintain internal balance.
– This space of psychological relief has become a center of communication for all who have found shelter in the hostel, - said the initiator of the project, psychologist Odarka Sofiychuk. - Access to it is always free, there is free Wi-Fi. And we are already seeing good results after a series of psychological support measures: children and young people who have IDP status or belong to other vulnerable categories (orphans, children deprived of parental care, children of combatants, etc.) have increased their level of socialization, sociability, independence and responsibility, developed creativity, the ability to resolve conflicts and other useful skills. The youngest residents of the hostel were especially happy, who now have a place to play and watch movies on the big screen.
By the way, the day the space was opened, November 15, was a special date for this shelter. The youngest resident of this dormitory, who was born here after her parents moved from the destroyed Bakhmut to Chernivtsi, turned two years old.
