Cooperation with the wellbeing services counties in the Helsinki and Uusimaa district
Red Cross local branches will jointly represent the organization within the wellbeing services counties, supported by the Helsinki and Uusimaa District. This page brings together materials that support this work.
Wellbeing services reform in brief
At the beginning of 2023, responsibility for organizing social and healthcare services and rescue services was transferred from municipalities and joint municipal authorities to the wellbeing services counties. In Uusimaa, there are four wellbeing services counties: East Uusimaa, Vantaa and Kerava, Central Uusimaa (Keusote), and West Uusimaa. In addition, Helsinki has a separate status of its own.
The wellbeing services counties and the City of Helsinki are responsible for providing social and healthcare services (health centres and hospitals, early childhood education and care, and social services) as well as rescue services within their respective areas. The HUS Group is responsible for specifically designated tasks related to specialized medical care in the Helsinki and Uusimaa region.
Municipalities continue to be responsible for services such as education (early childhood education, pre-primary and basic education, upper secondary education and vocational education), infrastructure (water, electricity and sanitation), youth services, and leisure and recreational opportunities (libraries, swimming halls, sports facilities and cultural services).
The wellbeing services counties are not identical, and responsibilities may be divided differently between counties and municipalities. There are many areas of cooperation, particularly in promoting health and wellbeing.
Why is cooperation important for Red Cross branches?
One of the Finnish Red Cross’s core tasks is to support public authorities in matters related to social welfare and wellbeing, both in normal circumstances and during emergencies and disruptions. We are also active in everyday community life and want to make our activities visible both to people in need of support and to those interested in volunteering.
The wellbeing services counties seek strong cooperation with organizations. In addition to our special role, we want to collaborate and advocate together with other organizations through county cooperation networks. Wellbeing services counties and municipalities also provide financial support to organizations.
Lähellä.fi supporting collaboration
Lähellä.fi is a nationwide and regional online service where people can find meaningful activities, support, and opportunities to get involved. The service is used, for example, in wellbeing services counties’ client work, but anyone can search for activities and support through the platform.
It is important that Finnish Red Cross local branches providing local activities can be found on Lähellä.fi. Through the service, a branch can offer volunteer opportunities, invite people to take part in its activities, and share its cintact information.
Regional cooperation between branches
The Wellbeing Services County Cooperation Project Group, appointed by the District Board of the Helsinki and Uusimaa District, has developed a roadmap for the district’s cooperation with the wellbeing services counties and considered the role of local branches. Members of the project group provide support to the branches.
Cooperation with the wellbeing services counties will be a key topic at regional branch meetings in the future. The aim is to discuss what has been done, where the branches currently stand in their county cooperation, and to agree on next steps and mutual cooperation with the wellbeing services county in their area.
Branch mentors (osastokummit) and other district office staff provide assistance to branches in their cooperation with the wellbeing services counties.