A Safe Space for Ukrainian Teens: Irina’s Story
With the youth club she has created, she gives Ukrainian teenagers more than just a place to meet—she gives them security, community, and psychological support.
- Български
- English
“My name is Irina. I am from Ukraine, from the city of Odesa. Today, I work here in Varna as a psychologist at the Refugee Support Centre.”
Irina runs a special youth club for Ukrainian teenagers. Today’s session is about “Consumer and Conscious Attitude,” but each meeting goes far beyond just learning new topics.
“The idea of the club initially was to create a safe and secure space,” she explains. “For teenagers, it’s a big problem to get to know each other and communicate. They are not little children who can simply start talking on a sports field or playground.”
Before creating the club, Irina used to counsel many teenagers individually at the Refugee Support Centre, but she realised something was missing.
“I needed to bring them together in groups and conduct activities with them. After the club sessions, I saw that they continued to communicate with each other.”
The Teen Club was created in 2023 as part of psychosocial support and social integration activities for refugee children and youth. It quickly became a space where young people could meet, learn, and develop their skills.
“But after the first session,” Irina shares, “I realised I also needed to provide psychological support. All the teenagers had trauma from losing their previous lives and friends.”
At this age, she explains, feelings of powerlessness and helplessness are common. That is why it is vital for them to know that, somewhere in the world, there are people who genuinely care and stand by them. “There are forces that support them,” Irina says gently, “people who truly care about Ukrainian teenagers.”
Such initiatives are vital for young people who have arrived in Bulgaria from Ukraine. They help them heal from the trauma of conflict and displacement, rebuild their sense of security and belonging, and foster new connections within the host community. By actively participating, these young individuals gain opportunities to express themselves freely, grow, and envision a future full of possibilities.
UNICEF in Bulgaria supports the provision of services and assistance for refugee and migrant children from Ukraine with the generous support of the USA Government.
