Volunteer Insights:
Ukraine Experiences & Tips

This article has been a long time in the preparation. In early February, I worked for a few days at the Kyiv Kitchen Hub "Ants" in Kyiv and met K and O, the two owners/principals. I promised K I would write about the kitchen, and we have been in intermittent correspondence ever since. I intend to use K’s own words as much as possible in a Q and A format. We have also talked to a guest volunteer to give potential volunteers some insight...

Join Уляна, a Ukrainian volunteer, in exploring Ukraine beyond the typical volunteer experience. From vibrant music scenes to historical theatres, traditional markets, and captivating art galleries, discover the country's rich culture...

Interview with British volunteer Richard Woodruff by Olena Kolhusheva from Ukrinform.

A heartfelt interview with Richard Woodruff, a dedicated volunteer and founder of the organization Front Line Kit. Discover his motivations, the hurdles he's overcome, and the immense impact of his volunteering impact in Ukraine.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Scottish charity Siobhan’s Trust has been working 24/7 to bring pizza and positivity to the people of Ukraine. Siobhan’s Trust has served up to 5000 weary people pizzas, hot drinks,fruit and snacks in one day, putting a smile on the faces of the most vulnerable people in Ukraine...

Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nicolás felt a deep connection with the people of Ukraine, and flew all the way from Chile to Ukraine to volunteer. Now in Lviv, he is having the best time of his life and doesn’t want to go home! Read about Nicolás and his inspiring experience of volunteering below...

Every month, the charity Kyiv Kitchen Hub “Ants” creates and supplies meals to approximately 10,000 soldiers who have no facilities to cook. “We Work, We Get Tired, but We Know Why and Who We Do it For”.

At many centres across the vibrant city of Lviv, volunteers are working side-by-side to protect soldiers by weaving camouflage nets, a vital form of defense that keeps soldiers safe by concealing their positions...

Explore some popular Ukrainian superstitions to be aware of during your time in Ukraine...

A delightful journey with the "Beginning of Lviv" walking tour - key locations in the city center, all conveniently situated within a short walking distance from one another, ensuring an effortless and engaging exploration of Lviv's historical treasures...

The traumas of war have a life-long impact on a child’s social, emotional and educational development. In times of war, children and young people are therefore among the most vulnerable. Since the full-scale invasion of Russia in February 2022, hundreds of thousands of children in Ukraine have been exposed to deeply traumatic events...

Have you ever accidentally committed a social faux-pas when travelling abroad? It’s easy to do, as all cultures have unique social etiquette and preferred ways of interacting...

From coast to coast, Canadians are marking 32 years of independence with festivals and commemorations with over 40 different events.

Today, on Ukraine’s 32nd Independence Day, three Ukrainian women describe what independence means to them and we share some fascinating facts about Ukraine...

As we approach Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24, it is more important than ever to challenge Russian propaganda and remember the journey that brought Ukraine to independence in 1991...

Domivka Shelter in Lviv is home to over 1,700 wild, exotic and domestic animals. Rescued storks with broken legs or wings feed beside wild storks that have come to join them. In this blog, we talk to Victoria about the shelter’s mission, plans for the future and how volunteers can help - from near and afar. 

Nadia travelled from Munich in Germany to volunteer at Front Line Kitchen. In this interview, she shares her experiences of volunteering, her impressions of Ukraine and her determination to return in the future.

The resilience of the Ukrainian people shines through, and there are meaningful ways we can contribute to their well-being and empowerment during these difficult times...

It’s important to know what to expect, how to stay safe and how to protect those around you. Here you can read about current laws, safety tips and how to be respectful during your time in Ukraine...

In 2021, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy chose July 28th to celebrate Ukraine’s Statehood Day. This date has immense historical...

After more than 500 days, the relentless assault of Russia on the civilians and infrastructure of Ukraine continues unabated. The ongoing and immense toll of the war on the daily lives of the Ukrainian people...

Ukraine has a rich tradition of folklore, song and music, which have been transmitted in word and song from generation to generation...

Ukrainian is a beautiful, melodic language that is more than seven centuries old and spoken by 46 million people. In this blog, we introduce our Ukrainian teacher, Oksii...

What is this powerfully symbolic trident and what does it mean for Ukraine and its people? The history of the Tryzub dates back long ago to the time of...

A recent UN survey reports that Ukrainian people believe that the most significant impact of the war is on their mental health. This is reflected in the voices that have emerged from Ukraine...

Eva-Maria Dempf describes her ten days volunteering in Lyiv as one of the most significant experiences of her life. In her blog, which you can read here, she shares her memories of the beautiful city of Lyiv...

In Ukraine, the act of donating blood is of vital importance, especially now. As the war with Russia continues to wreak havoc, the demand for blood transfusions has increased exponentially...

Known in Ukrainian as “Pekelna Kuhyna”, Hell’s Kitchen was co-founded by Yehor Horoshko in a hostel basement in space provided by the owner, Ivan Berezhny. From these humble beginnings...

Here we offer some tips on how to get around in Ukraine so that you can spend your time enjoying the sights rather than struggling to simply get from point A to point B...

In April 2023, Joel Rabinowitz volunteer from London came to Front Line Kitchen in Lviv, Ukraine, where he spent a week with a team of local and international volunteers from all around the world come together to prepare hearty and healthy meals...

Every year on the third Thursday in May, Ukrainians around the world celebrate Vyshyvanka Day, a colorful and festive event that celebrates Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage. On this day they celebrate the iconic Vyshyvanka...

So you’re ready to volunteer in Ukraine. You’ve got your flights booked, accommodations reserved, your visa and travel insurance sorted, but there’s one more challenge. What on earth would you pack when volunteering in Ukraine...