HealGame Ukraine develops and implements game-based projects for the emotional and social support of Ukrainian children and adolescents.
These projects can be especially helpful for children who feel particularly isolated during the Russian war against Ukraine and who have been forced to leave their hometowns or country.
The projects can take place entirely within the online game Minecraft, or in a hybrid format — combining online and offline activities, where children complete tasks on paper or go on “treasure hunts” indoors or outdoors between Minecraft sessions.
The projects are designed and facilitated by psychologists and child-focused professionals (such as social workers and educators). Special attention is given to cybersecurity, confidentiality, and privacy.
Why Minecraft?
Minecraft is a globally recognized game that offers strong potential for socialization, self-expression, and creativity. It is also technically accessible for most Ukrainian families and community organizations.
Minecraft Education Edition was specifically designed for schools, with a strong emphasis on safety and security.
Minecraft is also the preferred tool of many professionals who use video games in their work with children.
What kind of projects does HealGame Ukraine develop and run?
The first project by HealGame Ukraine was the “Wonderworld” Quest, which combines Minecraft with offline activities.
It was implemented for Ukrainian refugee teenagers aged 11–13 in Germany, in collaboration with Malteser Werke gemeinnützige GmbH and Team Mentale Gesundheit.
Participants took part in four Minecraft Education sessions, each one hour long, held twice a week, with offline tasks between the sessions.
Wonderworld is a magical land threatened by the Forces of Evil. It needs the help of children — and at the same time, it helps them discover their own strength.
The players had to find each other in the game world and unite to locate and save the Heart of the World, which had been captured by the Forces of Evil on a distant island.
Between each online session, we created offline bridges.
For example, to find each other in the game, the teens had to solve a Minecraft-themed paper crossword, or look for clues inside a building or outdoors.
Each participant had their own Place of Power, where we talked about feelings and emotions.
Before and after each session, the teens used a Minecraft-style Mood Scale to explore what they were feeling.
The project received positive feedback from both participants and parents, and it was decided to continue and expand the initiative.
Possible formats of such projects include:
- Psychoeducational – focusing on exploring emotions and feelings.
- Сultural – highlighting Ukrainian history, culture, and decolonization.
- Integrational – helping teenagers learn more about a new city or country they are living in.
- Educational – with a focus on a specific area of knowledge.
- International – involving children and teenagers from democratic countries, promoting cross-cultural dialogue and language learning.
These formats can be combined.
The storyline, number of sessions, online and offline activities – everything can be adapted to the number and age of participants, the setting and circumstances, and the ideas of the organizers.
Special projects can be designed for children with physical disabilities or special educational needs.
What do children and adolescents experience through these projects?
- They meet their basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as well as the need for spontaneity and play.
- They express their emotions and feelings through play.
- They meet new peers who may become friends.
- They experience a unique combination of video games and physical activity.
We invite organizations and professionals who support Ukrainian youth to cooperate.
Together, we can create a unique initiative that brings joy to children in difficult times.
Please contact us at: healgameukraine@healgameukraine.click.com