Simplifying the complex is the superpower of social workers in mobile medical teams

Yulia, Tetyana, and Olena work as part of teams that travel daily to remote settlements in the Konotop district of Sumy region and the Izyum district of Kharkiv region thanks to German and European investments. Specialists help people understand the options for social benefits, compensation, free state services, etc.

Typically, community residents need the support of a social worker because they cannot independently master online services and generally do not understand the mechanisms for obtaining services.

Yulia, Tetyana, and Olena have previous experience working in the social sphere and are constantly monitoring updates. Often, thanks to their positive communication, people decide to contact other specialists in the team - a psychologist and a doctor.

“We work in areas where people are under constant stress due to shelling, experiencing loss. But they endure and are not ready to seek professional help. Then talking to a social worker becomes a safer option, where they seek advice on everyday matters. When trust in me as a specialist is established, I use this opportunity to refer them to a psychologist or doctor if necessary. I explain that this is normal and important for their health,” says social worker Olena.

Therefore, social work is an important part of the activities of mobile medical teams.

The project is implemented by the Light of Hope NGO within the EMPOWER project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union, and implemented by GIZ Ukraine.