Branch Support and Mentoring

The district’s core mission is to support its local branches and help them develop their activities. Branch support is therefore not just a buzzword, but a central part of the district’s everyday work.

The district staff support branch volunteers according to their roles and areas of expertise. In addition, some of us provide dedicated support to branch boards in the role of mentors.

Mentoring

The aim of the district’s mentoring activities is to support branch boards in developing their operations and maintaining preparedness.
A mentor is a designated district contact person for a branch.

A mentor, for example:

• Encourages and supports the branch in developing its activities
  facilitates regional meetings (at least once in the spring and once in the autumn)
• Provides support in using Oma
• Helps the branch navigate guidelines and regulations
• Finds answers or the right person to respond to various branch questions

In addition, HUP mentors provide support for branches’ Hunger Day planning and may take part in fundraising together with them.

You can contact your mentor by phone, email, or through other agreed remote methods. You can invite them to a branch meeting or meet them at the district office or at a regional meeting.

Each of HUP’s seven regions has 1–2 designated branch mentors.

Regional meetings

Regional meetings are held in each area of the Helsinki and Uusimaa district at least once in the spring and once in the autumn. Hosting responsibilities rotate between branches. Branch mentors facilitate meetings and help with practical arrangements. 

Regional meetings can be found through Oma's event search. The event announcement is created either by the branch mentor or by the hosting branch. 

The aim is to organise the meetings in a hybrid format, allowing participation both on site and remotely. Light refreshments are usually served to those attending in person. The hosting branch may also start the meeting with an activity of its own choosing. Advance registration is requested so that catering and other practical arrangements can be planned accordingly, but no one will be turned away at the door. 

Branches can borrow equipment from the district for regional meetings, such as a screen, projector and audio equipment to support remote participation. 

Upcoming regional meetings

Espoo-Kauniainen

• 31.8.2026 klo 18.00 Raitin pysäkki, Konstaapelinkatu 1, Espoo; hosted by Kehä-Espoo branch

Länsi-Uusimaa

• 5.10.2026 klo 17.30-20.00 (venue to be announced later); hosted by Kirkkonummi-Siuntio branch 

Keski-Uusimaa

• 5.10.2026 klo 18.00-20.00 Rajamäentie 9B, Nurmijärvi; hosted by Nurmijärvi branch

Itä-Uusimaa

• 6.10.2026 klo 17.30-20.00 Hyvinvointikeskus Onni, Onnintie 3; hosted by Pukkila branch

Vantaa-Kerava

• 8.10.2026 klo 17.30-19.30 Myyrmäen asukastila, Paalutori 3, Vantaa; hosted by Länsi-Vantaa branch

Västra Nyland

• 12.10.2026 klo 17.30-20.00 Café Candis, Strandvägen 3, Inkoo; hosted by Inkoo branch

Helsinki

• 14.10.2026 klo 18.00 HUP district office, Pitäjänmäentie 14, Helsinki; hosted by Pukinmäki branch