The trip was organised by the charity Women for Women International, who help women survivors of war rebuild their lives. I was heading there with my husband’s cousin and brilliant photo journalist Hazel Thompson, to run a jewellery-making workshop as part of the charity’s Stronger Women, Stronger Nations Programme.

I really didn’t know what to expect before I arrived there. But to be honest I am not sure anything could have prepared me for the stories the women told; the horrors and choices they faced and the resilience and unbelievable bravery they demonstrated.

Maybe it was because they were women and many of them were mothers, but their stories hit me hard and remain with me today. I was truly moved by their experiences and often pictured myself in their scenario and wondered how I would react if it was me and my young family.

My diary recorded all these extreme emotions; anger, sadness, frustration, and horror but in amongst the darkness I was overwhelmed by the positivity of the women.

Despite being faced with experiences none of us can really comprehend, the women also told stories of acceptance, love and hope.

After fleeing their country, each woman said the embrace of a caring stranger once they crossed the border helped rebuild their faith in human kindness. Amazingly they continued to pass this warmth forward. At the workshop, they embraced me and each other which such love that that day will stay with me forever.

I took this symbol of an embrace and used it as the basis of the Share a Hug collection. I like how a simple hug has such a positive universal meaning across the world, it breaks down barriers and says so much without having to utter a word.

The collection is still one of my favourites, and the profits from every sale of the Share a Hug collection go to Women for Women International so they can continue to help women survivors of war across the world rebuild their lives and communities. We hope you can help us support those who need our help the most, one hug at a time.

Here's the Share a Hug collection. Most designs can be hand stamped to create a unique piece, and every order comes with a little note telling the recipient how their jewellery is helping support women survivors of war.

To read the full stories of some of the women I met, here’s my 2016 Kosovo Diary.

Hazel and I also made a video diary of our trip to Kosovo.

To find out more about Women for Women International and how you can get involved, head to womenforwomen.org.uk

Women for Women International

UK Charity Registration Number: 1115109