Iryna Podoliak, a Ukrainian currently living in Gdańsk, Poland, has built a successful career as a remote translator, proofreader, and SEO copywriter, translating from Polish and English into Ukrainian. Despite her professional achievements, she often feels the challenges of remote work ‒ especially the lack of social interaction and community engagement.
Longing for connection and a desire to develop new skills and experiences, she joined the British Council’s Youth Connect for Ukraine. This initiative empowers young people ‒ especially women, girls, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds impacted by the war in Ukraine ‒ by helping them acquire new skills, build meaningful relationships, and make a positive impact on their communities.
‘Leadership skills are the most important thing I’ve been able to improve thanks to the programme. I'm someone who constantly generates great ideas but often lacks the decisiveness and confidence to bring them to life,’ Iryna shares.
Inspired by the programme, Iryna organised her own social initiative: the Children’s Fair, an event with various outdoor games and attractions designed to engage kids, encourage social integration, and foster creativity.
‘We wanted the kids to participate in activities, make friends, and have fun. Such events encourage children to spend time outdoors, be physically active, and tap into their creativity. Beyond that, it was a wonderful opportunity for their parents to connect, integrate, and build relationships as well,’ she explains.
After the success of the Children’s Fair, Iryna is eager to continue creating projects that benefit children, especially those with migration experiences, focusing on their integration antisocial development.
For Iryna, leadership means making a meaningful impact on others' lives: ‘If you want to engage in social actions but feel that a particular skill is lacking, train it like a muscle. Leadership, public speaking, organisation, time management ‒ you can improve in all areas.‘