PlayDay: social project for board games for youth in Kyiv city
In wartime conditions, Ukrainians often feel disoriented. This especially concerns youth who, forced to move to another city, lose almost all their social connections: students change schools, university students study remotely, young specialists search for or switch to remote work. Communication is lost with those who were always nearby before, and thus – support. Moreover, daily news increases anxiety, resulting in young people possibly withdrawing into themselves.
In fact, a person arriving in another city must rebuild their life "from scratch," overcoming all difficulties of the adaptation period. It's harder when these people, having experienced loss, destruction or fear, need to cope with deeper psychological trauma.
The "PlayDay" board game space is support and shelter, where they can gather and meet, and also help each other realize their potential.
"There are no rules or restrictions here. Here's space, internet, board games. Welcome. We've been implementing this project for three years, so we know well how to work with youth," says volunteer initiative founder Denis Diduk.
The project has been operating in Dnipro for over 3 years. It arose from friends' initiative, who gathered weekly and played board games at home.
"Later we found a rent-free space where we could invite other people. We made entry free and in October 2020 the club's history began. People brought cookies and tea. Sponsors supported the project and we bought the first 10 board games. The project grew, there were even more people and today it continues to work successfully," the team shares.
Understanding that people now need live communication and support more than ever, in November 2022 Denis Diduk decided to open such a project in Kyiv.
Entry cost in Kyiv is 20 UAH/day, this helps the project be self-sustaining, buy tea or even acquire several board games. Over a short period, events were attended by more than 250 people.
