Author:
Yuliia Didenko
The final weeks of summer and the beginning of fall are always a special time. Children prepare for school, parents try to help their families adjust to a new rhythm, and psychologists make this transition easier, helping kids adapt to schedule changes, regain focus, and more. Throughout August and September, the teams of Voices of Children’s regional centers worked in various cities across Ukraine—from Lviv to Kharkiv, from Sumy to Mykolaiv.
Over the past two months, our centers have provided assistance to 1,021 children and 300 adults. Our psychologists conducted 1,405 individual sessions, 167 psychological group sessions, and 559 psychosocial group activities for children and adults. They also organized summer camps in communities and launched new support groups.
Children painted tote bags for Independence Day, sculpted clay heroes, and played Mafia and chess. Mobile teams visited remote villages where children rarely have access to psychological support. Parents joined support groups, while teachers took part in self-help workshops. And some children even said they wanted to live at the center, because “it’s cool here, and there are LEGOs.” Now, we can provide a detailed account of how our centers spent these two months.
Children painted tote bags for Independence Day, sculpted clay heroes, and played Mafia and chess. Mobile teams visited remote villages where children rarely have access to psychological support. Parents joined support groups, while teachers took part in self-help workshops. And some children even said they wanted to live at the center, because “it’s cool here, and there are LEGOs.” Now, we can provide a detailed account of how our centers spent these two months.
Kyiv: Filming, a Charity Football Match, and Summer Intensives
The Kyiv center wrapped up the summer on a high note. In August, the teen support group completed its sessions. For younger children, our psychologists held ten three-hour summer intensives. For adults, two support groups were conducted: Parenting Without Stress and Motherhood with the letter A, designed for parents of children on the autism spectrum.
August brought several exciting events. Five children from the center participated in a video shoot with Ukrposhta. Just a few days later, Bring Kids Back UA invited nine of our children displaced from the Kharkiv region to take part—as players and spectators—in a charity football match between Metalist 1925 and Khartiia, featuring Ukrainian celebrities. On August 28, the center hosted a recording session with Junior Eurovision finalists for Suspilne TV, featuring five children supported by Voices of Children.
I just enjoy coming to Voices of Children,
The Kyiv center’s activities are carried out with the support of the German humanitarian organization Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe within the project K-UKR-2025-4015.
Mykolaiv: Art Therapy and Safety Programs
In August, the Mykolaiv center worked simultaneously with several age groups: children aged 5–7 and older teens aged 15–18. Aggression correction groups for children also continued to work.
Moreover, the center invited children to visit movie clubs, and the anime club received a creative upgrade: psychologists and kids explored paper sculpture and clay modeling together. Teens created their favorite characters by hand, experimenting with shapes and textures.
The mobile team held storytelling sessions at the Library named after Kropyvnytskyi, family film clubs, and creative workshops. In the village of Berezanka, psychologists ran programs for children aged 7–13. They also organized art therapy events in partnership with psychologist Irena Datchenko. It is worth noting that other joint activities with the Library named after Kropyvnytskyi, the NGO ‘Girls’, and Patrol Police helped children aged 6–9 learn to express emotions, talk about safety, and interact within a team.
In September, we continued working in schools. We helped seventh graders from Lyceum No. 38 get ready for the new school year. We also actively developed our work with parents: in the village of Berezanka, we held a group session titled “Resilience and Effectiveness in Crisis Conditions,” and at the Free Together (Vilni Razom) Center for Assistance to Kherson Residents, we ran a parent–child group called “Being Close.”
Chernihiv: a Starry Sky
In Chernihiv, August passed without psychological groups, but with engaging creative activities, including events celebrating Independence Day of Ukraine. The center’s team also welcomed a journalist who, after her visit, donated a library of children’s books. Additionally, representatives from the center took part in a presentation of the Foundation’s services at the Regional Children’s Hospital, an important step toward establishing cooperation with local partners.
During a Movie Hall session held in a shelter, the children suggested turning off the lights and creating a starry sky. The idea inspired our psychologists, who brought it to life using a special lamp.
The class teacher of eight-year-old Maryna, one of the participants, shared that she greatly admires Maryna’s creative works made at the center. When asked whether she liked coming to Voices of Children, Maryna said she loved it so much that she “would fly there.”
The class teacher of eight-year-old Maryna, one of the participants, shared that she greatly admires Maryna’s creative works made at the center. When asked whether she liked coming to Voices of Children, Maryna said she loved it so much that she “would fly there.”
Dnipro: Creativity That Calms
In August and September, the Dnipro center held 28 creative sessions. The children said they particularly enjoy working with clay. They’re creating shapes, feeling the texture, experimenting. Such activities help them calm down and focus. Beadwork is equally popular among the children. They made jewelry and then gifted it to their loved ones.
The most interesting sessions and the best specialists are here, at the center. I want to come to every one of them!
At other sessions, children made jellyfish toys, practiced intuitive drawing, and created greeting cards. During the Mood Mosaic session, they combined sculpture and painting with modeling clay. Teenagers met weekly at the club to play board games, watch cartoons, play Mafia, and solve riddles.
My sincere thanks to the Voices of Children Foundation for your help. Psychologists Ania and Yulia are incredible. We loved attending the sessions. Wishing you prosperity!
In August, the team organized the first trip for children and parents living in Nikopol. In September, they came again, walking around the city and spending time with the center’s specialists. Alongside the adults, psychologists worked on body-based recovery practices.
We realized that our emotions and actions are normal. It’s just the times we live in. We are learning to live in a new way,
For the wives of Ukrainian soldiers, psychologists created a Space of Strength where women could receive support and communicate in a safe space. Additionally, the Dnipro mobile team made 15 trips to the communities of Novopidkryazh, Malozakharyne, and Mohyliv. The leisure specialist, Kamila Zandukeli, shared that children would greet them with the words: “Are we going to play Uno today?”.
The work of the centers in Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Dnipro is carried out within the EMPOWER project (K-UKR-2025-4026), supported by the German humanitarian organization Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe.
Kharkiv: Support That Comes Right on Time
In August, we organized the Colors of Summer camps in Kharkiv, two in the village of Slobozhanske, and two more in Vysoke. Meanwhile, psychosocial and play sessions continued at the center, along with meetings with the teenagers. The Parenting Without Stress group concluded, and in September, new programs for adults began.
“After the counseling sessions, I feel less anxious. It has become easier for me to understand my emotions and express them. This helped me cope better with difficult situations.”
“There is more trust and mutual respect in our relationship with our child. We’ve learned to listen to each other and speak openly about our feelings.”
“We received support exactly when we needed it most. It gave us a sense of care and confidence that we are not alone.”
“There is more trust and mutual respect in our relationship with our child. We’ve learned to listen to each other and speak openly about our feelings.”
“We received support exactly when we needed it most. It gave us a sense of care and confidence that we are not alone.”
In September, we launched new programs for teenagers to help them manage emotions, adapt to change, and find inner stability. The Kharkiv mobile team began visits to the Valky community (the village of Sydorenkove) and the Vysochansk community (the village of Budy). We also organized two camps in Vysokyi, where children practiced clay art, made appliqués, played games, and watched movies.
Кривий Ріг: 270 дітей на літніх інтенсивах
August in Kryvyi Rih began on a large scale, as the team organized a series of summer camps for children from rural communities in the Kryvyi Rih district. During the first three trips alone, psychologists worked with 170 children, and another 100 joined later. All activities took place outdoors: the children decorated tote bags, made keychains, and took part in psychological sessions and active games.
The camp in the village of Nova Nadiia, Novopilska community, gathered the largest number of participants—70 children. They especially enjoyed the psychological activities. To give every child individual attention within five hours, nearly the entire team joined in.
This was the most interesting thing that has ever happened in my life,
In September, our psychologists continued their work in the communities. They held two camps in the villages of Karpivka and Tykhyi Stav, as well as a psychosocial session titled “Coping with Aggression” in the village of Rannii Ranok. The children practiced paper modeling, painted, sculpted, and played board games. Meanwhile, the center opened registration for new Parenting Without Stress groups.
In Kharkiv and Kryvyi Rih, the Voices of Children Foundation is implementing the project “Improving Child Protection and MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) Mechanisms for Children, Adolescents, and Families Affected by the Conflict in Ukraine” in partnership with the international NGO Plan International, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).
Lviv: Freedom of Self-Expression Through Creativity and the Picture of the Heart
Throughout the summer and early autumn, the Lviv center focused on creative sessions that help children express emotions through art. In August, various activities were held, ranging from intuitive painting to decorating tote bags for Independence Day of Ukraine.
When we painted tote bags for Independence Day, I felt like I was making a gift for all of Ukraine,
In September, children aged 5–15 created 3D spheres, wove bracelets, made appliqués, and worked in the quilling technique. One of the most touching sessions, according to the Foundation’s specialists, was “The Picture of My Heart.” A girl painted a colorful spiral and wrote the word Friends in the center. She explained that the heart, for her, is a place where there are always people who will support you.
Here I can draw the way I want, and I feel free,
Freedom of self-expression is a vital aspect of our work. Children need to feel safe in order to express their genuine emotions and thoughts. Our psychologists also use board games, such as Jenga, Dixit, and chess. They help children develop strategic thinking and teamwork skills. In addition, children took part in the “Got a Question?” quest and attended animated film screenings.
I laughed so hard while playing Mafia that I even forgot how sad I was yesterday. Here, I’m not afraid to be myself,
The activities of the Lviv center are made possible thanks to the financial support of the Ukrainian company Kormotech.
Truskavets: New Spaces
In August, the Truskavets center completed its group sessions for teenagers and the program at the Dzherelnyi sanatorium in the village of Modrychi. The children were happy to meet with the specialists and asked them to come again. During the first sessions, they were shy and reserved, but gradually opened up, revealed their strengths, and became active in creative games. Adults began participating in the Parenting Without Stress group.
At the center, psychologists conducted creative sessions in intuitive painting, film clubs, and board games. They also organized two creative workshops at the Crystal sanatorium. In September, new groups for children aged 5–6 and 9–11 were launched, and the team took part in the opening of a new children’s space, the Adventure Tower rope playground in Truskavets.
At the center, psychologists conducted creative sessions in intuitive painting, film clubs, and board games. They also organized two creative workshops at the Crystal sanatorium. In September, new groups for children aged 5–6 and 9–11 were launched, and the team took part in the opening of a new children’s space, the Adventure Tower rope playground in Truskavets.
In Truskavets, the Voices of Children Foundation implements the project ER-Voices-Tru-UKR-2024-II in partnership with the Swiss organization for children’s aid Terre des Hommes.
Sumy: New Groups and the First Trips of the Mobile Team
In August, specialists from the Sumy center held a psychological group for teachers at School No. 9. In September, the team continued to run the film club and psychosocial groups, where children explored emotions, and they also launched new programs. According to participants’ feedback, the psychologists even brought together two neighboring families who had never met before but became friends at the center. One of the boys was so afraid of being late for the engaging sessions that he asked his mother to come early. Another girl said the colorful relaxation exercises the psychologists taught her now help her fall asleep faster.
I don’t want to leave. Can I live here? There’s a couch for me, and a pillow! It’s awesome here, and there’s LEGO!
For teachers at the Sumy Special School, psychologists conducted a session titled “An Unexpected Self-Portrait.” The teachers appreciated the chance to communicate informally and spend time creatively. Such meetings help them restore their inner resources. Since a driver has now joined the center’s team, the mobile unit made its first two trips to the Stepanivka community.
We thank our partners and all friends of the Foundation! Thanks to our joint efforts, children have more space for growth and joy, even in times of war.
Today, the Voices of Children Foundation operates ten regional centers across Ukraine, as well as mobile teams. Each center provides a community of like-minded peers, psychological support, creative workshops, and games. There is also a free psychological support helpline: 0 800 210 106 (calls are free within Ukraine and are available daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
Today, the Voices of Children Foundation operates ten regional centers across Ukraine, as well as mobile teams. Each center provides a community of like-minded peers, psychological support, creative workshops, and games. There is also a free psychological support helpline: 0 800 210 106 (calls are free within Ukraine and are available daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
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