Harmony in Health CIC offering practical, multidisciplinary wellbeing support to vulnerable groups in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Our facilitators are national leaders in the field of health and wellbeing including medical doctors and movement/relaxation specialists. We have partnered with an experienced London based Ukrainian psychologist.
Since 2022 we have piloted free wellbeing workshops to displaced Ukrainian women across the Southeast of England. We co-designed activities, consulted with partners/participants, and rigorously evaluated our work’s impact. We know that Ukrainian women’s health and wellbeing is worsening as the effects of the trauma of displacement have progressed from the initial shock felt in the first year, to high levels of depression, anxiety, stress, crippling uncertainty, isolation and new losses within families and friends, and in many cases, no means to deal with this - given the language and cost barriers, and lack of accessible expert help. Women reported challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, sleep issues, panic attacks, bereavement, and personal crises.
We sought feedback from the women who attended our pilot workshops, and they told us that our well-being activities stand out as truly unique and impactful. Our quantitative and qualitative research was carried out over 24 months with Ukrainian women in Woking, Richmond, and Hammersmith and Fulham.
The safe, welcoming space provided by this project allows women and children to connect and share their experiences in their own language, fostering a strong sense of belonging across generations.
The timing of this support remains critical, with a preventative approach needed rather than closing services. Women also highlighted difficulties navigating the UK healthcare system, which differs significantly from Ukraine, risking isolation without proper guidance. Equipping women with the necessary tools and knowledge to maintain their own health and wellbeing is vital for their ongoing recovery and resilience. The commitment and empathy of workshop leaders have been deeply appreciated, and demand for support far exceeds capacity, indicating a pressing need to expand access.
