A Haslemere woman has returned from Poland after spending more than three months in the country using her knowledge and skills to provide trauma-based therapy for Ukrainian refugees.

Aga Kehinde – who works at the Royal Surrey County Hospital – landed back in the UK last Tuesday (August 30).

She had been in Slupsk, where she was working on the Support for Slupsk project since mid-May.

Aga and her team delivered a specially-designed workshop in Slupsk which addresses the impact and effects of traumatic stress and teaches tapping techniques and other somatic regulation techniques.

The workshop was delivered to more than 600 people, including teachers, educational psychologists, teacher trainers, educational support workers, orphanage staff and carers, and social care services staff – all of whom work directly with the incoming refugee community.

Aga also worked with Ivona Olofsson to deliver sessions to 150 children across three orphanages.

Aga said: “All the children loved the workshops. The children taught each other the calming and soothing techniques so that when we returned the next day they already knew what they are doing.

“We taught them what being stressed means, what it feels like, the impact it has on our choices, and what it means to feel calm. Then we taught them simple ways to soothe their nervous systems they can easily do themselves, or help a friend.”

Aga may have returned from Slupsk, but her work helping Ukrainian refugees isn’t stopping there.

As well as keeping in touch with her contacts in Slupsk, Aga now plans to provide support to Ukrainian refugees living in the UK, and people who are supporting refugees here.

Aga has two workshops she wants to deliver: an adult workshop which provides somatic therapeutic support for stress and trauma relief, and an interactive workshop for children which teaches children how to regulate and recognise emotions.

Aga said: “The UK is very experienced in coping with refugees, and there is a willingness from people to help. However, people do get compassion fatigue as there is only so much trauma people can cope with hearing from refugees.

“I would love to hear from anyone who I can help.”

Anyone who wants to contact Aga about her two workshops should email [email protected] or call 07791 464340.