Veteran support and rehabilitation project in Ukraine

Last month we at Hug (Help Ukraine Gothenburg) launched the pilot program for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian war veterans through active tourism and psychological assistance. Now, we continue with the project, and over two days, veterans and their families engaged in outdoor activities while receiving continuous support from military psychologists who supported them at every stage.

When someone who has experienced trauma or injury connects with nature, pushes their boundaries, and succeeds in new challenges, something powerful happens. Each success proves to them that their story continues - they still have capabilities and can find joy. This realization spreads to families with moments of shared pride and renewed hope.

Family-centered recovery

The project shows that rehabilitation cannot be separated from family and community. Every veteran has family members or loved ones who have also been impacted by war and trauma. Wives, husbands, children, parents — everyone carrying their own need for healing and adaptation.

Watching families learn together, support each other through challenges, and celebrate small victories highlighted why isolated treatment approaches fall short. Healing happens in relationships, in community, in the context of love and shared experience.  

The power of shared experience

Most powerfully, veterans connected with others who understood their journey without needing explanation. In conversations by the water, during shared meals, in moments of quiet reflection, bonds formed that extend far beyond the two-day program. These connections represent an invaluable resource — peer support that continues long after organized activities end.

The psychological support provided by military specialists created a safe space for this natural healing process to unfold, addressing not just individual needs but collective resilience.

The program showed that recovery works in three ways: building physical strength and confidence through activities, providing psychological support through connecting with others and getting professional help, and helping people engage socially beyond their immediate family.

Building stronger communities

The veterans who participated aren't just recovering from war; they're preparing to contribute to the rebuilding of their communities and country. Their healing directly impacts the health and resilience of Ukrainian society and society overall. The sustainable development of any community depends on comprehensive, humane, and long-term support of those who have defended its freedom.

This veteran-focused initiative builds on Hug's work supporting those affected by conflict. We've organized rehabilitation programs for children of military personnel and war-affected youth. Now we're expanding to support veterans and their families as part of our core mission.