Beyond Conflict new support for disabled youngsters in Ukraine

2025 Funding for Dream Workshop in Lviv

Beyond Conflict has renewed support for Dream Workshop, the Ukrainian NGO supporting disabled youngsters in Lviv for a second year, using funds raised for us by St Botolph’s Church in London to pay for weekly mental health therapy sessions with a psychologist.

In 2025, Dream Workshop, which helps young people with both mental and physical disabilities in Lviv, is running sessions with a psychologist to address mental health conditions caused by the war in Ukraine, following the invasion by Russia in February 2022.  Young people have borne the brunt of the war, especially the most vulnerable, including the disabled and children.

Art and music therapy classes

This work is supported by activities including art and music therapies, led by experts in the respective fields. The NGO also holds regular community days to integrate the youngsters into society. Watch this joyful video here of the art sessions, which were turned into a public exhibition of the work.

Dream Workshop told Beyond Conflict: “We create conditions in which every person can live with dignity and be part of society. We are building an inclusive society where people with mental and complex disabilities are accepted, socially integrated, and able to realize their potential. We fulfil this mission by working with people with mental disabilities, their families, and society at large.”

A dedicated psychologist

DW has a trained team of mental health specialists running this project.

Halyna Shtohryn, DW’s chief growth officer, said:

“We have two day care centres where we provide daily training for young people with autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other conditions…Thanks to the support of Beyond Conflict we can provide services with a trained psychologist at our centres for six months.”

Beyond Conflict Chair, Gillian Dare, said:

“I am delighted to report  that,  with the generous  support of St Botolph’s Church in the City of London, we have been able to agree to support the Dream workshop for disabled children in Lviv for a second year. Children, as we know, are among the most vulnerable  in situations of war, and disabled children  most of all. These children, already coping with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other conditions, are going through the added nightmare of a conflict they cannot fully understand and the potential loss of of one or more parent. The art and music therapy courses run by Dream Workshop by specialist therapists with trained psychologist supervising, are providing a lifeline to the  bewildered children and help them to cope  with a devastating situation and sense of loss, fear and loneliness.”

Beyond Conflict Co-Founder and Executive Director, Edna Fernandes, said:

“We are delighted and honoured to support Dream Workshop’s valuable work for the second year running. This project provides dedicated support for some of the most vulnerable people in society in Ukraine, whose lives have been impacted by the war. The war has resulted in anxiety, trauma and other conflict related mental health conditions. Through support from a psychologist, the wider team and activities ranging from art and music therapies and outings, Dream Workshop is working to build strength and resilience for young people under their care. Beyond Conflict is proud to support this work.”

Thank you to the generous giving of the St Botolph’s Church community in London and to the Rector Fr David Armstrong for making this possible.