Metinvest Group, in cooperation with the Heart of Azovstal project, launched a new program for the physical and psychological recovery of defenders – Veteran Camping. The company is going to allocate more than UAH 1.6 mln for the rehabilitation of employees who returned to work at enterprises after serving in the army.

The program provides for a ten-day stay of veterans in a sanatorium in Mukachevo. They will receive personal physiological diagnostics and medical procedures, the support of psychologists and body therapy, outdoor team building and hippotherapy (horseback riding to improve physical and mental health), excursions to picturesque places in Transcarpathia and biosuggestive therapy to relieve the effects of stress and improve sleep.

The first two groups of veteran employees of Metinvest have already completed their rehabilitation program in Transcarpathia. Clean air, picturesque nature, professional support and warm communication with their sworn brothers became an opportunity for them to take a breath and recuperate to move on.

""Veteran camping" is not just a vacation in Transcarpathia - it is an integrated approach to the recovery of heroes who returned from the front line. After all, joint time with sworn brothers will help them not only to recuperate after the front line, but also to find peace of mind and get rid of emotional stress. This program, which we are implementing in cooperation with the Heart of Azovstal, has become another important component of the veterans' reintegration ecosystem at Metinvest. We continue to work systematically to help our heroes adapt to civilian life and provide them with a decent future," said Tetiana PETRUK, Chief Sustainability Officer at Metinvest Group.

Yuriy ARKUSHA, freight forwarder of Kamet Steel Production Preparation Shop:

"There is a lot to be said about this week in Transcarpathia. In short, it was exactly the kind of recovery that I drew in my imagination, and even better. The most effective approach to the recovery program that seems to me to be the most effective here is that the mentors did not leave us unattended at every stage. Personally, I really liked such an eventful daily schedule and it helped me recover physically and mentally. My loved ones noticed this after my return. Medical procedures and psychological measures combined with magical nature really improved my well-being. Some of the moments – like the feeling of height, which I adore, while climbing the cable car or hiking in Synevyr – make me absolutely delighted. I am very grateful for the opportunity and I consider such recovery very effective for every veteran, especially those who have recently been demobilized.”

Anatoliy UZLOV, engineer of Zaporishstal Open Hearth Furnace Shop production and technical department:

"The recovery program was well planned. Namely classes with rehabilitators, psychologists, group trainings and active leisure in nature, excursions were harmoniously combined. Despite the eventful schedule, I rested both physically and mentally relieved. Together with his colleagues, I participated in various activities for team interaction. We are all grown men, but we gladly performed tasks that at first glance looked like children's quests. It helped to get to know each other better and get along, have an interesting and useful time. I also received a great charge of energy from being in nature. In Transcarpathia there is an incredibly beautiful forest and mountains. I am sincerely grateful to the enterprise and the company for such an opportunity!"

Alexander GUNAZOV, electrician of Central Iron Ore Crushing Plant:

"I am thankful to the company for the opportunity for moral rest and physical recovery in Transcarpathia. I liked everything, except that there was less rain, the more we would travel and walk around the area. But the nature there in any weather is magical. Psychologists did not leave us a single step, conducted various classes and movements. There were also physiotherapy procedures, which was also very useful for me after the amputation. It's a good idea to unite veterans. The guys with a difficult moral state should see that even after serious injuries, life can be rich. For example, I have a prosthetic leg, but I ride a bicycle, play tennis, except that I cannot do work at height.”

Metinvest's Veterans Reintegration Ecosystem is based on the principles of responsibility, consistency and internal fairness. The company is ready to employ both demobilized employees and veterans from the market. Metinvest offers defenders free retraining, advanced training, preferential conditions for admission to the technical university Metinvest Politechnic. In addition, veterans can undergo physical and psychological rehabilitation at the expense of the company. And teams are trained to interact with demobilized colleagues.