First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska took part in the opening of a therapeutic garden at VDNG in Kyiv. The space will provide rehabilitation and emotional support for defenders and anyone in need.
The garden features a therapeutic horticulture area, an adaptive sports ground, a zone for body-based practices, a green room called “Circle of Warmth,” and a space for group gatherings.
In addition, therapeutic programs are being developed through which rehabilitation specialists and psychologists will work with military personnel, veterans, their families, and affected civilians. At the same time, access to the site will be free for all visitors.
“All of us, especially those who have experienced the pain of war, currently lack places and situations that provide a sense of safety, calm, and harmony. Here, in the garden, we can at least get closer to that feeling. This is the therapeutic effect of nature and interacting with it, confirmed by many scientific studies. I hope that more such spaces will appear across Ukraine. We see this garden as a pilot project, which will gradually take root wherever it is needed,” said the First Lady.
The entire space is barrier-free: it is equipped with navigation aids for people with visual impairments, solid and non-slip surfaces, and rest areas with benches that have backs and armrests, alongside dedicated spaces for wheelchairs.
The project is being implemented by VDNG together with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs as part of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.