From rehabilitation to self-realization: successful cases of veterans' adaptation to peaceful life in Cherkasy region

In Ukraine, MHP's "MHP Next Door" program provides individualized support and comprehensive assistance to military personnel, veterans, their families and those waiting for loved ones to return from the war. The program supports MHP employees and residents of the communities where the company operates. Oleksandr Voskoboinik, director of Urozhay, LLC, shared his experience of implementing MHP Poruch in Cherkasy region, UNN reported .

"Our demobilized employees are returning home. We understand that they are returning not only to work but also to their families and communities. Social support for war veterans and their families, as well as coordination of efforts by us as a socially responsible business, NGOs, volunteer organizations and local authorities in communities to help demobilized people have become the basis of the veteran policy implemented under the MHP Poruch program, which is implemented at the level of MHP, of which our company is a part," Voskoboinik said.

The veterans' assistance program has five key elements: 

Rehabilitation and health restoration

As part of the MHP Poruch reintegration program for military and veterans, demobilized soldiers and military personnel can have their health checked and receive treatment at hospitals in Cherkasy and the Myronivka Rehabilitation Hospital.

During this time, more than 60 combatants received rehabilitation, and more than 70 people received dental treatment and prosthetics.

Among those undergoing postoperative rehabilitation is 35-year-old Ivan Kolos. Since March 2022, his life, like all Ukrainians, has been divided into before and after. The "before" was his peaceful life as a tractor driver at the Stepantsi farm, and the "after" was fierce fighting in Luhansk, Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk. Near Lysychansk, the man was seriously injured. In May 2023, he was demobilized.

In cooperation with its strategic partner, MHP to the Community, Urozhay LLC paid for his expensive surgery, saving his leg from amputation. Now Ivan is undergoing postoperative rehabilitation, but he admits that he is eager to return to work because he cannot "sit at home" doing nothing.

Individual support for veterans and their families

The key role here is played by the coordinators of the Center for Military and Veterans Relations, which was established at the MHP company level. Individual support includes legal and psychological support, assistance with retraining and adaptation. A new job can be specially created for demobilized employees.

Three coordinators work with veterans at Urozhay LLC. One of them is a former military man, while the others have worked with veterans before.

Involvement of veterans in community life

Since the demobilized employees are mostly residents of the communities where Urozhay LLC operates, dialogue meetings with veterans, representatives of local governments and state authorities held in the communities have proven to be very successful. 

Social protection of military personnel and their families

During the service, the employee retains his or her job and salary. The company also closes requests from the unit in which the employee serves.

Assistance in the purchase of cars and drones, food, overalls, medicines, and communications equipment are just some of the needs that Urozhay LLC has addressed.

Caring for the children of military personnel-employees, IDPs and shareholders

In order to provide an emotional and psychological reboot, Urozhay LLC has provided recreation and rehabilitation at the Sosnovy Bor sanatorium and Kruty Zamis location in Chyhyryn district for more than 2,000 children from military families, community members and IDPs.  Sports and entertainment events, workshops on making motanka dolls and clay crafts are organized for them.

"Any activity is, first and foremost, a unity of people united by common work. Our veterans live their own lives and follow their own paths, but they are not alone. If every business becomes veteran-friendly, we, as a country, will be able to overcome one of the biggest challenges in Ukraine's modern history," Voskoboinik is convinced.

We would like to add that more than 280 veterans have already received support under the MHP Next Door program and returned to work.

More than 30 people in a cross-functional team that includes representatives of HR, CSR, safety and health, psychologists, lawyers, and specialists in health and rehabilitation, as well as professional training, are involved in supporting the military.

MHP Poruch also stays close to the families of fallen and missing defenders: they receive financial assistance and legal support in seeking and receiving benefits from the state.

For information

MHP is an international food and agro-technology company that produces high-quality and tasty food products that improve the lives of consumers.

The company operates in agriculture, food production and retail, and has subsidiaries in the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the EU. MHP shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The company's production facilities cover most regions of Ukraine, with a land bank of 360,000 hectares.

As a culinary company, MHP develops more than 15 food brands, including Nasha Ryaba, Appetitna, Legko, Bashchynsky, Skott Smeat, LaStrava, RyabChick and others. Together with its partners, MHP has opened 1,500 outlets of various types throughout Ukraine. These include Myasomarket, a chain of culinary ideas stores, Döner Market, delicious safe fast food outlets, and Ezha Svezha, Nasha Ryaba, and Ukrainian Chicken stores.