200 healthcare professionals joined the second phase of Enabel’s Care for Carers project. Sessions on self-care practices and psychological relief spaces were held in five hospitals across the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, where such spaces are being established with the support of Belgium.

Hospital staff learned how to restore their emotional resources at work and how to use Care for Carers rooms to take a short break and recharge. We also explored the barriers that make it difficult for healthcare professionals to prioritise self-care.Enabel spoke with participants from Koriukivka Central District Hospital and Bila Tserkva Hospital No. 2, where Care for Carers spaces are already in place, about their impressions of the rooms and the self-care techniques shared by the trainers.

The next step is the third phase of the programme: in-depth self-care training for a new group of healthcare staff from the same hospitals.

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Vitaliia Chepizhenko
Senior Nurse, Emergency Department
Bila Tserkva City Hospital No. 2

“I’m truly impressed that we now have a space where we can recharge and take care of our mental wellbeing. Typically, the focus is on patients, so it means a lot to see a space like this created for healthcare professionals as well.

Through the Care for Carers training, I learned grounding techniques as well as ways to release tension through progressive muscle relaxation. I also really appreciated the idea of taking short breaks during the workday — to reset your breathing, shift your focus, and simply take a moment to rest.”

Yelyzaveta Deineka
Senior Nurse, Stroke Unit
Koriukivka Central District Hospital

“Most of the time, work is so demanding that there’s hardly any time left for yourself. But every now and then, you manage to find at least ten minutes to pause and enjoy a bit of quiet.

I’ve already visited our psychological relief room, and I really liked it — especially the massage chair and the chance to simply sit down with a cup of coffee. Sometimes, that’s exactly what’s missing — just a few moments of calm to reset.

During the information session, what stayed with me most was the idea of taking care of yourself without guilt. It’s so important, because this kind of practice helps you cope with emotional strain and avoid running out of energy.”

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