Play Away Days
The objectives of Play Away Days
• A gradual opening up from a state of withdrawal and severe anxiety. The one-day duration ensures a gradual emergence from the trauma.
• An opening up to others, a reduction in feelings of loneliness. The variety of interactions helps to restart the ‘social engagement system’ damaged during traumatic reactions.
• No longer feeling alone: realising that one is part of shared experiences and issues that are not unique to oneself (survivor’s guilt, feelings of inadequacy).
• To begin to savour and experience the feeling of pleasure and to allow oneself to feel it.
• For each participant to experience pleasant sensations and processes of calm through a selection of creative media. To enjoy this alone and with others who, at the same time, gain confidence and open up to the world.
• Realise that there is still vitality and liveliness within oneself, and take pleasure in watching and joining children as they play and create games, play with modelling clay, etc.
Achieving these goals requires
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a peaceful environment
- A space to relax for a day
- A place to meet others going through similar experiences of distress
- A peaceful and, if possible, natural environment
great freedom of expression
- A wide range of options and great freedom of expression that do not depend on words or a shared common language.
- A wide range of creative media
A safe environment
- The opportunity to express oneself in one’s mother tongue in a friendly atmosphere, with great respect and humanity
- A welcoming, reassuring and non-intrusive team
- Several translators always on hand
Play Away Days 2022–2023
In 2022 and 2023, this initiative enabled Ukrainian refugees to come together in Provence, in the south of France.
The first event offered a whole day of complete freedom in a beautiful garden to rest, meet other people, explore various creative media (pastels, clay, painting, puppets...) and to play with and amongst the children.
The second event took place entirely indoors, in a large hall.
This therapeutic initiative was primarily aimed at traumatised mothers (accompanied by a few fathers and grandparents) and their children.
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Play Away Days are primarily aimed at people...
01
- who do not have access to therapy
- for whom play and other creative processes are central to their recovery following trauma
- for whom it is urgent to alleviate the traumatic state
02
- for whom allowing a full day of rest and relief from the traumatic state is essential
- rediscovering the joy of speaking their mother tongue(s) and meeting others in a situation similar to that of refugees.
03
- who are not forced to speak, but are offered every encouragement to express themselves and to enjoy creative processes, either alone or with others
- where they are offered great freedom of speech, whether or not through a common language
Organisation of spaces
Your testimonials
"When we first arrived at hospitable Verity, we were tired and tensed. Of course, this was reflected both on us and the children as well. New country, new everything, from everyday life to the energetic rythm of life itself in the city of Apt. We were met by an elderly energetic woman with her full of love eyes. It was immediately heard that the wisdom and life experience with which it already shone would provide us with both support and resolution of deep internal contradictions. Though trust, through frank communication, we felt this. So even the first meeting brought us relief."
Taras
41 ans"От всего сердца благодарю Вас за вашу доброту! За теплое отношение к нам! Особенно благодарна за детей ! Они окунулись в любовь и позитив! Это даёт возможность отвлечься от неприятных воспоминаний! Это так важно в настоящее время! Мне очень приятно что есть неравнодушные люди ,которые сопереживают в трудные времена! Благодарю вас !"
Marina
maman de Sergey"I like to play ball and badmington with my friends and learn new french words with Verity. These picnics are educational and fun !"
Lilia
13 ans"I remember the first play away picnic in May. It was like a feeling of deep breath after a long winter. In such a beautiful garden, I was happy to meet people with open hearts. This is the place where you can relax and get inspiration, taking time drawing, communicating, watching your children playing."
Natalia
42 ans"Дуже класний захід! Веріті дивовижна! Своєю нескінченною енергією заряджає всіх та надихає жити. Затишна атмосфера свободи, природа, гостинне чаювання, купа іграшок для дітей, величезна садиба, набори для різноманітної творчості, уроки французької в ігрових формах та великий стіл вишуканих різноманітних страв. Це все дарує нам, Укрїнцям, Веріті та її асоціація раз на місяць. Це те, що нам зараз в гостинній, але чужій країні потрібно. Це те, що нам потрібно, коли дома відбуваються страшні речи і треба шукати приємні емоції. Раз на місяць одна садиба стає місцем, де можно забути про клопіт, поспілкуватися с цікавими французами та не меньш цікавими українцями, насолодитися природою, дати волі творчості і посправжньоми жити. Організація на висоті : трансфер, опції реагування на погоду, кухня, територія, гостинність, іграшки, люди – все бездоганно. Ми с жінкою відвідали вже два західи і взахваті від усього, що відбувалось. Веріті та її асоціація має за мету поширити захід на інші регіони та інши групи людей, що потребують уваги та турботи. І найлегший шлях допомогти їм буде лише приїхати і насолодитись західом самому. Велике вам дякую за такий крутий день !"
Levgen
"I would like to express grateful thanks to Verity and Natalya and all who are connected to that project « playawaydays ». Your work comes from the heart and is aimed at uniting and supporting Ukrainians forced to leave their homes due to the war, accepting help from France. These well organized meetings are always warm with many play activities for children and adults specially designed and aimed at relaxation and comfort ; we can draw and work with clay…in many different ways. All this takes place in a beautiful and peaceful environment, parents have an opportunity to communicate and share. This is a positive experience for my family. Children meet friends from their motherland Ukraine, adults share their experience. Help for solving problems comes from many ways and psychological support is one of them."
Sasha
"I loved toys for theatre and spacious meadow for playing ball. "
Yeva
8 ansWeb development and graphic design: www.provence-design.com
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