As part of my studies in social work at Anglia Ruskin University, In June 2018 I will be traveling overseas to Ukraine with the hope to achieve practical application to those who are less fortunate than ourselves and where poverty is a reality for most. Chernihiv medical centre carries out complex medical and social rehabilitation for children with learning difficulties and a number of different conditions that lead to social exclusion. Anglia Ruskin University developed close links with the centre through organisations such as Aid UK which has been giving ongoing support for these children cared for by the centre for the past twelve years.

Medical interventions and humanistic therapies such as massage, art and music work hand in hand together. The medical centre better known as Revival aims to work not only in the centre itself but in the community and supporting people in their own homes. These people often have poor living conditions, with very little money in the most deprived areas and lack the physical ability to improve their environment .The work in the community is the growing part of the centres activity which is why this year Aid UK aims to offer our group of volunteers as part of Mission Ukraine the chance to take over where they left last year by refurbishing, transforming and generally helping those who have so very little.

In addition, I will also be running the Brentwood half marathon in March as one of my fundraising activities. My fundraising will not only help in funding my trip but any extra money raised will go towards the health centre and improving the facilities within the centre for the children receiving therapy. I hope to make more people from the UK and from developing countries become ICE volunteers in the future and for it to help have a real sustainable impact in some of the world’s most suffering communities.

For anybody that knows me, already knows how making a difference in society and supporting families is so very close to my heart which is what lead me into social work. Thankyou in advance for any of you that donate and for all of those that help enable me to fulfil a lifelong ambition and passion.