27 July 2026
National UK charity, WithYou, has met a delegation of Ukrainian psychiatrists and psychologists supporting soldiers and veterans, to share expertise and enhance support for the armed forces and their families in Ukraine.
The visit, made possible by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation as part of its RETURNING project, provided a forum for an unprecedented exchange of expertise between UK drug and alcohol clinical specialists and those working on the front lines in Ukraine.
Brought together by Collective Voice, the national charity working to improve England's drug and alcohol treatment and recovery system, the delegates discussed the raw reality of the conflict - and its impact on the people in Ukraine.
WithYou’s Director of Psychology and Psychological Therapies, Sarah Jones, and National Armed Forces Lead, Andy Craze, joined others in the sector to share their expert knowledge and advice to support these patients.
“We were deeply moved by the stories of the brave soldiers fighting for their country and the families they support. It was an honour to be asked to help them,” said Andy. “The professionals we met are facing unprecedented challenges - and it’s brilliant that the Victor Pinchuk Foundation has created this initiative so we can bring together our expertise. This collaboration is about supporting people nationally and internationally - now and in the future.”
WithYou’s award-winning Armed Forces Programme is funded by The Army Benevolent Fund, the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity, and Greenwich Hospital. WithYou is the first drug and alcohol provider to hold the Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme. It honours employers who go above and beyond, advocating for defence and fostering supportive HR policies for veterans, reservists, and military families.
The RETURNING project is a nationwide network of mental health centres for military personnel, veterans, and their families. The project was founded by Victor and Olena Pinchuk and organised by the Non-profit Organization GlobalInMind ASBL. 15 centres are already open across Ukraine, and 10 more are planned. Each year, over 100,000 service members, veterans, and their families will be able to receive free professional psychological support.
