The Ukrainian Red Cross develops and delivers the first integrated Training of Trainers on focused psychosocial support programmes for children

A five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) was held in Kyiv for 15 specialists from the Ukrainian Red Cross Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) team. It was the first integrated ToT of its kind within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, covering three focused psychosocial support programmes for children.

The training covered the role and core competencies of a trainer, adult learning principles, group dynamics, and approaches to working with diverse participants. The practical component focused on three programmes: “The Book About Me,” “Building Children’s Emotional Resilience,” and “Building the Future Together.”

Participants familiarised themselves with the content and methodology of the programmes and practised facilitating individual sessions. They received feedback on their practice and prepared to train facilitators to deliver the programmes in communities.

The ToT also covered the organisational and operational aspects of a trainer’s role, managing challenging situations during training, quality assurance, and ongoing support and supervision for facilitators.

The Ukrainian Red Cross continues to develop its own trainer development system, enabling trainers to prepare facilitators to deliver focused psychosocial support programmes for children in communities. This will help expand access to quality MHPSS services for children and their families and strengthen the sustainability of psychosocial support programmes at the community level.