Poland Project Report

Rob Heighington

April 2024

What started out as a simple art program in support of Ukrainian refugees quickly became something much bigger.

Objective: Provide East European participants with the Creative Spark award wining1 Art Program linking mental health and creative expression. Strengthen psychological resilience, improve wellbeing and socialization skills.

Outcome: As a result of unexpected circumstances (Political Climate and University Trauma – see below) the original objectives were not successful. The people of Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic made some excellent suggestions for next steps.

Note: Creative Spark programs are in the top 5% of accuracy for reporting outcomes resulting in numerous grants and awards2. Rob Heighington volunteers 100% of his time, he receives zero income for his work with Creative Spark.

Political Climate: Protesting Polish farmers continue to be a serious political issue.  In terms of the Creative Spark Poland Project, the political climate in Poland was unexpected and problematic for our small art program.

  • Polish farmers have been protesting the Polish government and the European Union. They are concerned that Ukraine has flooded their market with grain as well as other commodities.
  • Many are fearful that Russia is both contributing to the problem, and in some cases, even working with EU politicians and/or other countries. It should also be pointed out that many Russian farmers are just doing what they know and don’t want to compromise other farmers both at home and abroad.

University Trauma: Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic is one of the oldest universities in the world.

  • Described as a massacre, in late December 2023 Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic experienced a mass shooting.   A 24-year-old student shot many people, killing 17, injuring many more.  As a result of this terrible trauma, the Creative Spark Art program seemed trivial, and it was.

Lessons Learned

  • Mental wellness is not an important issue for most people coming from or living in Ukraine currently. According to a professor at a Polish university (faculty of psychology), ‘while it is generally accepted that people from Ukraine are suffering many psychological issues, most, for obvious reasons, are more concerned with their basic needs, such as food, housing, jobs and education.  Think Maslow’s hierarchy of needs‘.
  • At the start of the war in Ukraine (late February 2022) the European Union (EU) put forth a ‘Temporary Protection’ program to all member countries designed to support Ukraine and Ukrainian evacuees. This protection included most aspects of farming as well as support for education, jobs, healthcare, and harmonized valuation on food and housing.
  • Despite considerable European Union efforts to keep member state doors open to Ukrainian evacuees, many voting citizens of EU countries are struggling to support refugees from Ukraine. Most citizens are conflicted by their own needs associated to education, housing, healthcare, food and jobs.
  • In addition to evoking various sanctions against Russia, and in particular Vladimir Putin, The EU and its member countries continue to do what they can to support Ukraine. Unfortunately some of the people in member states have lost certain incentives to continue with broad sweeping support.
  • European Union elections is June 2024. Ukraine is a candidate to be part of the European Union. At the time of writing this report, the next UK election has not been decided.
  • War in Ukraine has had a devastating effect on their economy. According to those working directly with people living in Ukraine, ‘their spirit is broken. International support is waning yet the war rages on‘. Despite many tragic events happening in Europe and around the world the EU continues to stand united with Ukraine – see https://eu-solidarity-ukraine.ec.europa.eu/index_en
  • A few youth from Ukraine, Poland and the Czech Republic suggested Creative Spark develop an online “cloud” based portal to fascilitate their award winning1 art program to a broader audience. Also, it was suggested that Rob share online his own experience dealing with mental health. See Mountain Mondays.

The Eurostar travels to Paris and Belgium under the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel (Chunnel). From the West Eurostart trains depart from London’s St Pancras International station. Travel in many parts of East Europe is best done via train and/or bicycle. Also, affordable accommodation with options to change itinerary quickly is recommended.

Next Steps

  1. Creative Spark develop an online ‘cloud based’ portal to support Creative Spark programs – in particular their award winning1 Art Program. Approximately $5,000 of funding is required for the Portal. Approximately $15,000 Cdn. is required to be raised.
  2. Rob Heighington (aka BigRob) to share his own experience dealing with mental health and some of the things he did to deal with it. See Mountain Mondays.
  3. Proceed with the Creative Spark home made Coaster/Bird Feeder competition. This inititiative requires volunteers including possible partnership with peer to peer resources. Approximately $5,000 Cdn. is required to be raised.
  4. As a 100% volunteer organization Creative Spark to continue to seek volunteers and raising funds. Creative Spark programs currently include development of a Portal (see Item #1), Mountain Mondays (see Item #2), as well as BigRob’s Brown Paper Bag project.

Information & Citing: Most of the people and/or organizations that made the Creative Spark Poland Project possible cannot be named for privacy and/or safety reasons. In some cases contact information for a specific can be made available, please contact Rob Heighington directly at rob@creativespark.ca.

RH Experiance: I chose not to confuse the Creative Spark Poland Project with a persponal trip or holiday abroad. The trip to East Eurpoe was planned entirely around the Creative Spark Poland Project. That said I could not have made this trip without the generous support of many people including former collegues, friends, personal advocates and of course the support of my family. While overseas I was able to visit some very special places and people. As a fan of history, good food and architecture I would like to share some personal anecodotes as follows. Please see RH Experiance

For more information please contact us at info@creativespark.ca
  1. grants and awards include (but not limited to); University of Alberta Healthy Schools initiative, Government of Alberta, Arts Place Canmore, Town of Canmore, Town of Exshaw, Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund (2 grants), Lafarge Canada, St. Paul Education, Canadian Rocky Public Schools, Sheldon Kennedy Lighthouse Program, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Lieutenant Governor’s Round Table, Community Builder Award, Palliser District Teachers Association foot note ↩︎
  2. as reported by the University of Alberta Healthy Schools initiative, Edmonton, Alberta Canada. In addition Creative Spark outcome tracking protocols meet with multiple quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria, including but not limited to University of Toronto, Canadian Government and Bell Let’s Talk 3rd party success tracking ↩︎
  3. grants and awards include (but not limited to); University of Alberta Healthy Schools initiative, Government of Alberta, Arts Place Canmore, Town of Canmore, Town of Exshaw, Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund (2 grants), Lafarge Canada, St. Paul Education, Canadian Rocky Public Schools, Sheldon Kennedy Lighthouse Program, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Lieutenant Governor’s Round Table, Community Builder Award, Palliser District Teachers Association foot note ↩︎
  4. grants and awards include (but not limited to); University of Alberta Healthy Schools initiative, Government of Alberta, Arts Place Canmore, Town of Canmore, Town of Exshaw, Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund (2 grants), Lafarge Canada, St. Paul Education, Canadian Rocky Public Schools, Sheldon Kennedy Lighthouse Program, Mental Health Commission of Canada, Lieutenant Governor’s Round Table, Community Builder Award, Palliser District Teachers Association foot note ↩︎

DISCLAIMER: Creative Spark Inc. Logon for Mental Wellness is 100% volunteer. Please note: we do not offer health advice in anyway and/or assurances to connect with any community including but not limited to education, healthcare and/or employment resources.