«Hugs for those who hug»: a restoration retreat held for social workers from six regions of Ukraine

As part of the "Hugs" project, a special retreat was held for social service professionals from regions facing extreme stress and the daily challenges of war. Participants mastered techniques for addressing childhood trauma, protocols for interagency collaboration, and practical tools to prevent professional burnout. The main goal of the event was to provide specialists with the resources needed for emotional recovery so they can continue effectively supporting families through difficult circumstances.

Every day, professionals from social services and child welfare agencies serve as a pillar of support for hundreds of families and children facing the most difficult challenges. They provide safety, care, and hope. But in order to have the strength to embrace and support others, it is important to restore one’s own inner world.

As part of the “Hugs” project, a retreat titled “Hugs for Those Who Hug” was held. The event was attended by social service and child welfare professionals from the Kharkiv, Kherson, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Mykolaiv regions—areas that face daily challenges and extreme stress.

The retreat’s program covered key aspects of the professionals’ work on three levels: interacting with children, supporting families, and working within the system. Participants learned methods for restoring children’s attachment and trust after trauma, practiced helping parents process difficult emotions without experiencing burnout themselves, and explored the activities of Support Centers for Alternative Forms of Family Care. Special attention was given to protocols for interagency collaboration in the best interests of the child and to practices for restoring inner balance, particularly art therapy.

“In organizing this retreat, our goal was not only to share practical tools for working with trauma and attachment but also to give participants time for themselves. Recovery, a sense of unity, and emotional renewal are essential for moving forward. After all, only an adult who is well-resourced can effectively support children and families,” emphasizes project manager Yaryna Yurychko.

The “Response to the Ukraine Crisis” project is being implemented by the charitable organization “Ukrainian Education Platform” with support from the International Rescue Committee.