As Ukraine continues to battle to defend itself, the world remains in awe at the resilience of the Ukrainian people. But after two years of invasion, there is a looming public health crisis - mental trauma and PTSD. Ukraine is well-aware of it but our research shows that they are under-equipped to deal with the seriousness of it. Veterans are affected, but also civilians, who are bombarded constantly by missiles and drones. Domestic abuse cases are rising fast in Ukraine, so helping one person, helps others.

We will design and build a Nordic Trauma-informed Therapy Garden next to Pavlov Psychiatric Hospital in Kyiv, in order to firmly import this tried and tested concept to Ukraine. Through this pilot project and the resulting proof-of-concept, we hope to create a dialogue about how to tackle mental trauma - and to inspire other Ukrainian cities and towns to build their own.

A trauma-informed Therapy Garden is much more than a fertile, green urban space. We will employ Evidence-based Health Design in Landscape Architecture (EBHDL) based on extensive research in Denmark and Sweden to create a lush garden that will also serve as a veritable new hospital ward for treating mental trauma, stress and PTSD.

It will be a space that is meticulously designed and purposefully planned to to create an environment that can provide healing, comfort, and a sense of safety for those who have experienced psychological or emotional distress.

As far back as Roman times, the therapeutic value of gardens have been well-known. Nowadays, our scientific understanding of the benefits that green spaces contribute to mental health has accelerated over the past couple of decades. The jury is unanimous: gardens are medicine.

We are now equipped to take the design of trauma-informed gardens and parks to the next level, with the inclusion of an arsenal of multi-disciplinary approaches - and many of them focusing on veterans with PTSD.

Our Therapy Garden will be carefully planned to incorporate elements that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and sensory stimulation. It will include secluded areas for solitude and reflection, as well as communal spaces for social interaction and support. The garden will foster a sense of control, empowerment, and emotional resilience for those seeking solace and restoration from traumatic experiences.

The design addresses the different levels of trauma that the users might have - from those with the worst struggles to those who need a lighter approach to healing. Different zones are implemented to accommodate the different needs. We will employ sustainable Nordic design & architecture and biodiverse landscaping that respects native species of both flora and fauna. We will make very little impact on the land - sticking to non-permanent structures on the surface.

Most of the work will be done by our network of volunteers in Kyiv.

The Location

We have selected a plot of land next to a large psychiatric hospital in the Podil district of Kyiv. It will placed on public land but in close proximity to 1000 mental health patients and it will retain public access, although with some zones that will be reserved for hospital patients.

We hope that you can become a passionate supporter - this is very much a community project and your donation will go a long way. We would love to have you on the team as we try to do what we can to tackle the mental health issues facing so many Ukrainians.

The Process

Here is the work flow for the project, which we hope will be done by mid-2024:

- We will clear the land of deadwood so we can move around and gain an overview - with our volunteer network.

- Design of the pathways, zones, seating areas - on a team with Danish & Ukrainian landscape architects and in consultation with City architects.

- Construction of the pathways, seating, etc. with our volunteer network.

- Opening of the Therapy Garden.

- Workshops with Ukrainian mental health professionals to inform about the value of such a garden and workshops with Ukrainian landscape architects to teach them about how to build more - many more - all over Ukraine. 

The Crowdfunding

The crowdfunding will help us pay for all aspects of the project:

- Getting the necessary equipment for clearing and cultivating the land.

- Recycled wood and bricks to build seating and seclusion barriers.

- Buying native species of plants, bushes and trees that will strengthen the biodiversity and boost the sensory experience for the users of the garden. This is by far the largest portion of the budget.

- Wages for local carpenters who will help us build our designs and teach the volunteers how to do it, as well.

- Producing signage for the entrance but also wayfinding and information about how to use the garden, inside the space.

- Some logistics for transporting larger loads to and from the garden during all phases of the project.

Any funding that is leftover will go directly towards other therapy gardens projects that we are planning. 

Partners

We are developing a strong team including The Danish Embassy in Kyiv, Libereco.org (Germany), City of Copenhagen (Kyiv Office), Prytysko-Mykilska Residents' Association, The Podilsky District Administration, The City of Kyiv Ecology Department, Pavlov Psychiatric Hospital.

We hope you can contribute crowdfunding to make this important and passionate project a reality!