Kells therapy group helping families cope with trauma

Ukrainian refugees availing of support and help to integrate with Irish families and the community

Creative Family Therapy is proving a godsend for refugee families living in Kells who have been participating in the Family to Family sessions at Kells Family Resource Centre.

"It is very hard on my children, they miss their father so much, but this is a great help to them, it helps them get used to a new environment and to get know each other," says Svitlana, one of the mothers who participates in the group.

Another woman who is participating was a keen gardener who was devastated to leave behind her beautiful garden and her flowers, fruits and vegetables, but has found the therapy a help - she has been painting flowers and creating them through other art media, as she deals with grief at having to leave her home. She is also proud to show photographs of her beloved garden to her new friends in Kells.

Claire White is a Creative Psychotherapist who was asked by Angela Newsome at Kells Family Resource Centre to design a six-week plan for Creative Therapies for a group of refugees, to provide support and help integrate with Irish families and the community.

It’s called Family to Family, and they have a large group of mothers and children from Ukraine, Syria, Poland and Ireland working together to create the most wonderful pieces of art which will form an exhibition.

"We have two separate rooms – the children work in one space and the adults in another, with therapeutic themes running at the same times," says Claire.

"One week, the children received small woodland creatures and their art was to create safe places for them to live. They used clay and other materials and each of them carefully made a safe place. No words are needed in art. We have a lot of Ukrainians, but we also have Syrians.

"Both the adults and the children are learning to express themselves through art - through jewellery-making, painting and postcard art, and mindfulness.

"The women sit together working on their art, talking, while the children are working on their projects in another space. "It gives everyone a time to sit, relax chat and share experiences.

"There are tears, laughter and moments of silence. We are giving people a space to come together and bring their worries, express them through art and grieve together. It helps to cope with trauma."

"I have been blown away by the artistic talent they are showing.

"I have learned so much from working with the group – language is no barrier – we do have several people who are translating, but art and smiles can reach places that words cannot."

Odeta Butvinskiene is the project co-ordinator for the scheme. A Latvian who speaks Russian, she has been living in Ireland for eight years.

"The programme has really helped the refugees a lot. You can see them changing.

"We had women who just couldn't speak because of the trauma they had suffered who are now feeling more freedom to express themselves.

"They have all suffered such changes in their lives, but you can see them changing, becoming stronger."

Svitlana came to Ireland last April with her 10 year old son and five year old daughter from Kyiv. "It has been tough. The children miss their father so much. He is involved in territorial defence in Ukraine.

"It wasn't too easy to get used to a new environment, but the people are so friendly and warm hearted. They helped us to get used to it."

Svitlana's daughter is in playschool and her son is in school. "They love it. I think they are enjoying education more in Ireland than in Ukraine."

She says the Family to Family programme is very helpful and the children love getting involved in games.

"We have people from all over Ukraine attending.

"It is a great help to both adults and kids. It is a programme for refugees coming to stay in Ireland. We meet every Saturday from 10am to 1pm."

Tanya also came to Ireland in April last year from Kiyv. She doesn't have children, but she is working in a school delivering lunches and is enjoying it.

"People have been very good. Working is good for me."

She volunteers at the Family to Family sessions, helping to translate and loves being part of it.

"It is a great opportunity for people to do these activities. It is really helpful and is provides the women with children a little time for themselves and to spend time together."