Psychological support for refugee children and their carers

Archived project of Fundacja Dla Dobra Dzieci

Implementation period: 1 March 2023 – 15 August 2023
Place: Tarnów and activities of Fundacja Dla Dobra Dzieci
Agreement number: 135/PS/XIII/2023

Project from which the funding came

The project was carried out as part of the grant task “Psychological support for refugee children and their carers”, financed by “Małopolska Humanitarian Shield. European Funds for Ukraine. EFS grant support for NGOs and local government units – social integration, labour market, education and health”.

Aim and recipients

The aim was to provide children, young people and adult refugees from Ukraine with psychological support, help in coping with war trauma and forced migration, and assistance in adapting and integrating in a new environment. Support also reached people with disabilities and families requiring an individual approach.

Activities completed

Psychological support for children and young people

300 hours of individual and group psychological and psychoeducational activities were delivered for 120 children. Activities were adapted to age and needs: groups aged 3–6, 7–12 and 13–18, plus individual sessions. Art therapy, music therapy, sensory activities and Ukrainian-language therapeutic stories were used. Children learned to recognise and express emotions, manage stress, build safety, communicate and form relationships.

Therapeutic teddy bears

Therapeutic teddy bears with a recorded therapeutic story supported work with emotions, fear and tension and stayed with children after sessions. Damaged or worn tools were replaced so every child had a working bear. At the project’s end, all children using this support received a functioning therapeutic tool.

Psychological support for adult refugees

30 hours of group and individual meetings were held for 30 adults. Topics included emotional self-regulation, relaxation techniques, stress management, analysing difficult situations and practical problem-solving.

Career and educational guidance

80 hours of guidance reached 10 people. It included aptitude tests, planning further education, seeking work, courses and placements, preparing CVs, and support in preparing analyses and applications for business funding.

Volunteering and team preparation

3 volunteers were trained. They supported recruitment, documentation, information materials, organisation and career guidance. 5 additional people necessary to provide support were employed.

Results

• 300 hours of psychological support for children and young people;
• 30 hours of psychological support for adults;
• 80 hours of career and educational guidance;
• therapeutic teddy bears used in work with children;
• participants gained tools for coping with trauma, fear, anger and stress;
• children developed communication, self-regulation and integration skills;
• refugees received practical support in planning education and work;
• project indicators were achieved at least at the planned level, with some forms exceeding the original assumptions.

Lasting effects

The project provided not only support during implementation but also tools for later use. Children learned safe emotional expression and ways to work with tension, adults developed self-regulation skills, and guidance participants gained knowledge useful for education and employment. Some people continued to use free support from Fundacja Dla Dobra Dzieci after the project ended.

This page is archival and documents a completed project.