Oplich Hub has been operating in Zaporizhzhia for over two years. It is a space where children and adults can attend free individual psychological consultations, art therapy classes for adults and children, master classes, yoga and wellness fitness classes, as well as classes for teenagers, and receive support and assistance.
Recently, Oplich Hub held a painting class with elements of art therapy, the theme of which was the search for light within oneself – “Light begins within each of us.” Its symbol was a lantern enveloped in a cozy winter landscape. You don't have to be able to paint to attend this class – that's not the main thing here. Everyone paints to the best of their ability, and the results of the participants' paintings are pleasantly surprising. Natalia POPOVA, psychologist and art therapist at Oplich Hub, says:
"People come with zero preparation to try their hand at painting. I teach techniques that allow people to paint their own picture on the first try. And when someone comes in and says, ‘I've never painted before,’ and then three hours later, there's this wow effect – it's so energising! Confidence plus the process of painting, which is relaxing in itself, shifts a person's focus to the here and now.
Natalia Popova believes that we are all creative people from birth:
“We are born knowing how to dance, draw, and sing, but then we stop believing in ourselves because someone once told us that we couldn't do it. Here, people can believe in themselves.”
Inna has been attending Oplich Hub for about a year and is very happy with the experience:
"I like everything here, the team is very nice. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by the administrator Karina, who is so friendly and attentive that you immediately feel at home. It feels like they were waiting for me here.
Inna puts the light that she carries within herself into her drawing:
“We light a lantern inside ourselves and here in the drawing. We light the light, warmth, joy, and confidence in ourselves and in the fact that everything will be fine.”
Following Inna's advice, her friend Olga also came to Oplich Hub. According to her, this is where she truly recovers and finds inspiration. Olga said:
"I attend art therapy, yoga, and painting classes. Natalia, a psychologist, does a great job here; she teaches very well."
The lantern that Olga drew symbolizes the love and kindness she gives to people, even in difficult times.
“It is important to radiate light not only now, but always. Light should be inside every person, and now it gives you a sense of self-respect and courage, and the knowledge that everything will be fine,” says Olga.
Oplich Hub was created by the UN Global Compact in Ukraine with the support of Metinvest Group's humanitarian initiative Saving Lives, which is represented in our city by the following plants: Zaporizhstal, Zaporizhcoke, Zaporizhia Refractories, and Zaporizhzhia Casting and Mechanical Works. Classes at Oplich Hub are free for everyone.
“Absolutely anyone can join. All you need is the desire, free time, and to call our hub administrator to sign up,” invites Natalia Popova.
