New Saturday workshops for adults are now being held at the “Oplich HUB” community center.
A variety of activities – painting classes, therapy sessions, and legal and psychological consultations – are available free of charge at “Oplich HUB,” which was opened in 2023 with the support of Metinvest and Zaporizhstal. In early March, a new series of workshops with a uniquely Ukrainian touch was launched, led by psychologist and art therapist Olha Manzhura. These workshops provide not just engaging leisure, but also a form of psychological relief and stress reduction.
Recently, Oplich HUB hosted a doll therapy workshop where each participant created their own traditional motanka doll under Olha’s guidance. One of the attendees, Olena KIRITSEVA, an internally displaced person from Mariupol, dedicated her motanka doll to Ukraine’s Victory:
“I had never made a motanka doll before, but I really got into it thanks to Ms. Olha. She not only teaches us but also tells us about our history. The motanka doll is our heritage, our roots – something that was missing from our lives for many years. I'm very grateful to both ‘Oplich HUB’ and Ms. Olha for such a wonderful workshop. My doll turned out to be a bird – it's about joy and our Victory. Spring is here, and our holiday will come too, so this doll is very symbolic for me.”
According to Olha MANZHURA, such workshops are deeply beneficial:
“This is not just a creative class. Doll therapy is a form of art therapy that uses creativity to understand oneself, shift one's emotional state, and restore inner resources. Unlike purely craft-based activities, this process involves reflection and self-awareness, helping participants reconnect with themselves.”
In addition to doll therapy, “Oplich HUB” now offers workshops on candle-making, block printing, and pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg decorating). All are led by Ms. Olha every Saturday:
“One fascinating folk tradition is wax-resist egg decorating. We’ll be working with real eggs, using traditional symbols that I’ll explain and demonstrate. We’re also planning a beeswax candle-making workshop. I’m preparing a festive class that will include decorated baskets and egg-shaped candles.”
From Tuesday to Sunday, visitors can attend yoga, fitness, Pilates, joint neuro-gymnastics, art therapy, painting sessions, and one-on-one consultations with a psychologist – all for free.
“You can follow the schedule and announcements in our Telegram channel and sign up for whatever appeals to you. We form new groups every week and invite everyone to join us. I’m happy to be part of the ‘Oplich HUB’ team and share my experience and knowledge. These sessions are meaningful, energizing, and truly help people – and that’s one of my missions as a psychologist,” Olha added.
“Oplich HUB” was created by the UN Global Compact in Ukraine under the Mental Help project. Its activities are supported by Metinvest’s humanitarian initiative “Saving Lives” and the Zaporizhstal steel plant. All activities at “Oplich HUB” are completely free of charge.
