Decentralisation portal continues its series of articles on local communities’ initiatives that make public services and spaces more accessible. This time, we are reporting on the experience of Chernihiv, where the City Council’s “Veterans’ Centre” provides psychological support and physical rehabilitation to veterans and their family members, as well as assistance with employment, resolving social issues, and organising trips.

Nazar sustained a serious head injury in July 2022 in Donetsk region. After a long period of treatment abroad, he returned home, but found it difficult to come to terms with his new reality – he now uses a wheelchair.

After his first visit to the veterans’ centre, Nazar said to his wife, Viktoriia, ‘Why am I worrying? I’m just like everyone else. I’ve got two arms and two legs. I’ll keep at it and get back on my feet.’ It was then that Viktoriia saw inspiration in her husband’s eyes for the first time in several years.

The centre’s specialists help Nazar return to an active life, as well as organising trips and support for him.

Victoriia also receives support. She has been consulting the centre’s psychologist, as the ongoing struggle for her husband’s recovery is a difficult ordeal for the whole family.

‘I also really like the fact that children’s events are held at the centre, and our 10-year-old son has the chance to spend time with other children from military families,’ says Viktoriia.

“Veterans’ Centre” in Chernihiv operates on a one-stop shop basis. This means that visitors do not need to find out for themselves which organisation to contact for each individual enquiry. The centre’s specialists help identify the required service, organise support where necessary, or assist in resolving issues remotely.

Volodymyr also has his own experience of working with the “Veterans’ Centre”. He sustained severe injuries to his limbs during the Kursk Offensive and was confined to a wheelchair for a long time. After his treatment, on the advice of his comrades, he turned to the veterans’ centre.

‘When I needed to visit the Pension Fund, the Territorial Co-ordination Centre and other institutions, the centre’s specialists organised transport and an escort. And when I needed to contact the Pension Fund again, they helped sort things out remotely – without having to travel or wait in a queue,’ says Volodymyr.

Adaptive sport became another focus of his recovery. At the centre, he joined training sessions in pétanque and sitting volleyball.

The Chernihiv City Council’s “Veterans’ Centre” has been operating for almost two years. During this time, it has provided over 2,000 services to veterans and their family members. Today, over 700 people use the services of the Veterans’ Centre. They are supported by eight specialists, including psychologists and physical rehabilitation specialists.

‘Anyone can come with any question, and our job is to understand exactly what they need and help them find a solution,’ explains Serhii Dovbysh, Director of the “Veterans’ Centre”.

Within the framework of the project “Enhancing the Accessibility of Public Services and Communication in Communities”, we are sharing stories of successful community initiatives that help make public services and spaces more accessible to people with different needs. The project is implemented by CERR with the support of the “Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine”, which is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden.