Barrier-free rehabilitation unit and specialized training ground opened in Holovanivsk to aid recovery of war-affected Ukrainians

This is the fifth project, supported by Visa and Oschadbank as part of the social franchise that aims to make rehabilitation and psychosocial services accessible to veterans and civilians, eliminating the need to travel to other cities.

Holovanivsk, June 16, 2025

Oschadbank, the “Barrier-Free” NGO, the “Mindy” charity fund, Visa, Kernel and the Holovanivsk Settlement Council opened a new mobile rehabilitation unit and a specialized outdoor training ground. The facilities aim to provide assistance to veterans, their families and civilians affected by the full-scale war.

Equipped with modern, high-quality equipment, the barrier-free (inclusive) unit spans 72 square meters. The unit's specialists will provide patients with comprehensive rehabilitation services, including social integration, psychological support, and physical therapy. Specific services include gait training on prostheses, prosthetics support, occupational and speech therapy.

Additional offerings include legal counseling, consultations on employment, training and retraining, as well as other social services.

This way, the unit in Holovanivsk creates full-fledged conditions for those in need of rehabilitation to recover and return to active life in the community, eliminating the need to travel to other cities.

“The most important thing is having the ability to get help right here and now—in your own community, without delays, barriers, or long travel. This is what veteran policy should be: convenient, clear, and accessible, allowing everyone in need of rehabilitation—whether physical, psychological or social—to receive this support nearby. Because rehabilitation is not just about physical recovery, it is about returning to full life, regaining confidence, and feeling supported. I am grateful to all partners who help implement such projects in local communities. This is a true partnership for the sake of a dignified life for our veterans, their families, and all those affected by the war,” emphasized Nataliia Kalmykova, Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.

“Opening of this rehabilitation space is an important step toward creating an inclusive environment for all members of our community. We want to provide everyone—children, veterans, people with disabilities, and everyone in need of support—access to high-quality, comfortable physical rehabilitation. Thank you to everyone who participated in this project. Together, we are making the Holovanivsk community even more accessible and united,” commented Serhii Tsobenko, head of the Holovanivsk Settlement Council.

A 70-square-meter modern rehabilitation training ground is located next to the unit. It is designed to help patients regain walking skills and promote physical recovery. A canopy ensures the space can be used comfortably year-round, in any weather.

“We are not just opening rehabilitation units—we are building a unified system of support that functions across all regions using the same standards of the social franchise. In places where rehabilitation and psychosocial services were once unavailable, people can now receive professional help near home. For us, it is about true accessibility. To ensure that each unit works efficiently, we also invest in team training. The goal is simple: to ensure that in any city in Ukraine, people can move towards recovery and feel that they are not alone,” said Bohdan Minenko, head of the social franchise by the “Mindy” charity fund.

The unit in Holovanivsk is the fifth location within the “Mindy” charity fund’s social franchise opened with the support of Visa and Oschadbank and the second developed in partnership with Kernel.

The project is realized in cooperation with the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the “Barrier-Free” NGO within the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?” which is being implemented at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, as well as members of the “Business Without Barriers” community, Visa, Oschadbank and Kernel.

“Witnessing the service grow within communities—right where people need them—is a testimony and a result of collaboration and consolidation of efforts. Thanks to the combined efforts of partners from the “Business Without Barriers” community, in cooperation with the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the “Barrier-Free” NGO, today such barrier-free rehabilitation units are becoming an integral part of the response to the challenges brought by war,” commented Olha Horbaniova, an expert of the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. “These spaces are also part of a broader development of mental health services, which is currently taking place within the “How Are You?” initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, part of the great transformation of the entire system of services and the person at its heart.”

“In line with our global mission to be accessible to everyone everywhere, Visa believes that access to rehabilitation must not be a privilege limited to big cities but a fundamental right for everyone, no matter where they live. For over a year and a half, together with our partners, we have been successfully scaling the social franchise of rehabilitation units, covering more and more small communities,” said Tetiana Chorna, Visa Vice President, Country Manager for Ukraine. “The opening of the unit in Holovanivsk is another step toward an inclusive Ukraine where those affected by war can receive support and recover close to home.”

“Kernel consistently supports initiatives that strengthen community resilience and promote sustainable development in Ukraine. The establishment of a rehabilitation unit in Holovanivsk is part of our social impact strategy, where partnership and trust are the key to real change. Together with the community, funds and businesses, we are creating an environment where support is close and accessible to everyone,” said Liliia Marachkanets, Head of CSR at Kernel.

“We are pleased to see the mobile rehabilitation units project expanding across Ukraine. This is already our fifth unit, more and more locations are opening, and more partners are joining. This shows that this initiative is timely. At Oschadbank, we are implementing many diverse projects to support veterans. I want to assure you that our bank will continue to do everything possible to ensure that Ukrainian heroes return to peaceful life and become new leaders of our country,” stated Serhii Naumov, Chairman of the Board of Oschadbank.

The social franchise model involves the work of a multidisciplinary team of specialists, which makes the rehabilitation process as effective as possible. The functioning of the rehabilitation unit will be ensured by a case manager, a psychologist, a doctor of physical and rehabilitation medicine, a physical therapist, a speech therapist, and specialists from other fields.

This format includes a full package of necessary documents and algorithms for interaction between the main stakeholders: the community, the state and donors. This simplifies the integration of the unit into the local healthcare system, the National Health Service of Ukraine’s medical guarantees program, and other state and local services. This approach significantly strengthens secondary long-term outpatient rehabilitation after the main period of hospital treatment.

The first rehabilitation unit of the social franchise, supported by Visa and Oschadbank, opened in Ovruch, Zhytomyr region, in January 2024. The second one opened in Vasylkiv, Kyiv region, in October; the third one opened in Kropyvnytskyi in December of the same year; and the fourth one opened in Khotyn, Chernivtsi region, in March 2025.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at visa.com.ua.

About Oshchadbank

Oshchadbank is the leading Ukrainian universal commercial bank, 100% of whose shares belong to the state. The bank has the largest network of branches and provides services to more than 6 million active customers, including individuals, SMEs, and the biggest private and state-owned Ukrainian companies.

About the “Mindy" charity fund

The “Mindy" charity fund was founded in 2022 with the aim of adapting veterans to civilian life. By the end of 2023, Mindy has provided more than 3,000 free sessions of psychosocial assistance and physical rehabilitation. Based on this experience, the team created a new social franchise project that provides much-needed free services in small towns in Ukraine.

About Kernel

Kernel is the world's leading producer and exporter of sunflower oil and the largest exporter of grains from Ukraine. In fiscal year 2024, the company exported 8 million tons of agricultural products to the global market. The company accounts for 9% of global sunflower oil exports. Kernel supplies its products to 60 countries.

About the “Barrier-Free” NGO

Center for coordination of expertise and promotion of barrier-free accessibility as a new social norm. The “Barrier-Free” NGO is an executive partner of the First Lady Olena Zelenska's initiative “Without Barriers”, aimed at creating equal opportunities for all Ukrainians, and the initiative to develop and implement the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program.