Two adaptive clubs for veterans and people with disabilities opened in Vinnytsia region

Two adaptive clubs for veterans and people with disabilities were officially opened in Trostianets and Bershad. These spaces have become a place for rehabilitation, sports and socializing, UNN reports.

The Trostianets club is located in the premises of the local center for physical culture and sports, and the Bershad club is based at a sports school. They are among the winners of the Time to Act, Unstoppable competition , which received grant support on a co-financing basis from the MHP Community Foundation as part of the reintegration program for military and veterans, MHP Poruch, the State Institution All-Ukrainian Center for Physical Health "Sport for All", with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine as part of the Active Parks project under the Presidential Program.  

At the opening ceremony, veterans and community members saw how adaptive sports change lives. Veteran Serhiy Lukashchuk, who, after a serious injury, found the strength to return to active life through sitting volleyball, shared his story:

"Sport has become not just a hobby for me, but a way to recover physically and mentally. After a serious injury, I could not imagine how I would return to an active life," says Serhiy. - I am very glad that our community now has such an adaptive club. It's not just a place to train - it's an opportunity to meet, support each other and get inspired. Many thanks to everyone who made this possible. Such projects are a real support for veterans, which helps them not to give up and move on."

During the event, certified trainers conducted demonstration classes and familiarized visitors with the functionality of modern adaptive training equipment.

Adaptive sports for  rehabilitation and adaptation of veterans

"These adaptive clubs are an example of how important it is to support our veterans and people with disabilities not only in words but also in concrete actions. These are not just gyms, but spaces where people can find inspiration, motivation and self-belief," said Oleksiy Sukhovitruk, Regional Director of the Southern Region of MHP's Vinnytsia Hub. 8] The company has a program called MHP Next Door, which supports veterans and their families, and it's not just about employees. I am confident that these clubs will become a place of strength that will help many return to active life."

"We strive to ensure barrier-free access for the military, their families and people with disabilities, including those affected by war. Veterans can become a driver of change in the community if they are given access to rehabilitation and development. Adaptive clubs in communities will create an environment for recovery, provide support, promote physical and psychological recovery, strengthen family ties and integrate the community into the process of care," shared Oleksandr Bozhok, Acting Director of Sport for All.

"The opening of these adaptive clubs is not just an event, it is a step towards creating a society that cares about its heroes," said Mykola Kucher, Member of Parliament of Ukraine. - We must do everything possible to ensure that veterans who sacrificed their health for our freedom feel supported and have the opportunity to fully integrate into community life."

"These adaptive clubs are a real help to our veterans and people with disabilities. They are not only about physical recovery, but also about psychological support, social integration and community," added Mariana Narozhna, head of the social development team of the Vinnytsia region of MHP-Hromada. - We believe that each such initiative helps our heroes return to active life, feel needed and involved in community life. It is important for us that everyone who comes to these clubs knows that they are not alone, but are surrounded by care and support."

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"Time to Act, Unstoppable" is a grant competition for communities that can receive up to UAH 400 thousand to create an adaptive club "Unstoppable" in their village or town.  

The project is being implemented in 13 regions of Ukraine, namely: Vinnytsia, Volyn, Dnipropetrovs'k, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Lviv, Poltava, Sumy, Ternopil, Khmelnytsky, Cherkasy, Chernihiv regions and the city of Kyiv.  

Project partners: MHP-Community Charitable Foundation within the framework of the MHP Poruch reintegration program for military and veterans, the State Institution All-Ukrainian Center for Physical Health "Sport for All" within the framework of the Active Parks project of the President of Ukraine program, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.  

The project aims to create and equip sports centers in communities adapted for people with disabilities, including people with disabilities as a result of war, where they can engage in physical education, communicate with like-minded people and receive professional support from qualified trainers, stimulating their reintegration into the social life of the community.  

Contact person for more information:

Olena Buchatska

Phone: 097 246 5351

Email: [email protected]