For months, all the toys and equipment of the institution in the sleepy border town of Berehove were used by the internally displaced people sheltered in a local high school. Here, Szilvia organised developmental and play session for the displaced children – but then the pupils returned to their classrooms. From the beginning of October, however, the sessions in the Sure Start Children’s Home were back in full swing, with both staff and toys returning to their original locations. There are changes nonetheless, with only 7 mothers out of the group of 15 back in February staying in their hometown. Three new mothers have joined them, bringing the total number of children affected by the developmental activities up to 13 – and there are more applicants ready to join. According to Szilvia, they were all waiting for the opportunity to visit the institution’s sessions and spend time together. She is also in contact with internally displaced mothers, who might want to join the programme later.

Between February and October – although no sessions were held – Szilvia kept in touch with the mothers of her group. Every week, she would call or contact them online. Understandably, with all this uncertainty around them they needed the ‘sure start’ provided by Szilvia and her colleagues. According to Szilvia, the worsening social situation in the country also affects the circumstances and conditions of social work in Beregszász. The constant air raids and the absence of the fathers fighting on the frontline have created a lot of tension, which is a strain on everyone. Crippling inflation rates means that mothers – most of whom are already in a difficult social situation – cannot afford all the equipment and goods needed to properly raise their children. Restarting the programme was essential for these women and their children, as the Sure Start Children’s Home provides integrated care through child development specialists, social workers and a doctor.