COURSE: Social community orientation

©Suomen Pakolaisapu ry

The Social Orientation course provides participants with the keys to understanding Finnish society and becoming an equity member of the community and the society. The Social Orientation course includes information on the structures of Finnish society, legislation in different life situations and Finnish customs. 

The course is intended to be taken during the initial phase of arrival, during the first year of residence in Finland. The course can also be taken at a later stage of living in the country, if there is still a need for the course information. 

The Social Orientation course consists of 10 lessons. If the course is taught entirely in your mother tongue, each session is 2 hours long. If the course is given with interpretation, each session is 3 hours long. It is possible to attend the course on the spot or remotely from a computer. A certificate of attendance is awarded. 

 Content of the Social Orientation course:

1) Finland and Finnish culture

2) Finnish society

3) Moving to Finland and living in Finland

4) Family life and children

5) Education

6) Work and livelihood in Finland

7) Health and ageing in Finland

8) Laws and justice in Finland

9) Politics and influence in Finland

10) Reflection on Finnish society

COURSE: Everyday well-being 

This course provides information on the functioning of Finnish social and health services, child growth and development, relationship and mental well-being. The course will also provide an opportunity to discuss the importance of respecting one's own culture as part of childcare and everyday family life. Participants who do not have minor children can attend part of the course days.

The "Everyday well-being" course is intended to be taken during the initial phase of the arrival in the country, during the first three years. The course can also be taken at a later stage of residence if there is still a need for the information provided in the course. 

The Everyday Wellbeing course consists of 10 three-hour sessions. The course will be delivered through interpretation. The course can be attended on-site or remotely from a computer. A certificate of completion is awarded.

Contents of the course:

1) Use of health services and self-care

2) Mental well-being

3) Sexual health/women

4) Sexual health/men

5) Relationship and marriage

6) Pregnancy and after birth care

7) Child and family well-being

8) Day care and school

9) Adolescence

10) Finnish everyday life and culture

Finnish language basics

In the Finnish Language Basics group you will learn the basics of the Finnish language by speaking, reading and writing. Participants in the group will acquire language skills that will help them in everyday life.

The Finnish Language Basics group is suitable for immigrants who are still in the early stages of learning Finnish. The group is open to everyone and free of charge. You do not need to register to join the group, you can join at any time. The language of instruction is Finnish.

Time: Wed 10-12. Place: Kotouttamo (Community Centre/Yhteisötalo), Haudankorvankatu 2, Forssa.

INFO: Housing and tenancy

The info session will cover the most important issues related to Finnish housing and tenancy. The information is given in Finnish and is open to all immigrants. Interpreting can be arranged for immigrants involved in the social welfare integration work. 

The information on housing and tenancies will last two hours. It is possible to attend on the spot or remotely from a computer. 

Contents of the Housing and tenancy information:

- Finding a place to live

- Tenancy contracts

- Tenancy regulations

- Finnish rules of politeness

- Common housing problems

- Termination of tenancy

- Paying the rent 

INFO: Recycling

The information is organised in cooperation between Kotouttamo and Loimi-Hämeen Jätehuolto Oy. The information is given in Finnish and is open to all immigrants. Interpreting can be arranged for immigrants who are involved in the social welfare integration work.

The recycling info will last for two hours. It is not possible to participate remotely. 

Contents of the recycling information:

- Principles and benefits of recycling

- Principles and principles of waste management

- Recycling household waste in a way that protects the environment  

INFO: Social security

This information session will cover the history of the development of Finnish social security and how social security is structured and financed today. The information is held in Finnish and is open to all immigrants. Interpretation can be arranged for immigrants involved in social welfare integration work.

The social security information is two hours long. It is possible to attend on the spot or remotely from a computer. 

Contents of the social security information: 

- History of Finnish social security

- Structure of social security 

- Financing of social security

COURSE: Kela services

The Kela Services course is held in Finnish and is open to all immigrants who need more information about Kela's activities or dealing with Kela. Interpreting can be arranged for immigrants who are involved in social welfare integration.

The course consists of three sessions of two hours each. Participants must be able to attend only part of the course. It is possible to attend the course on the spot at Kotouttamo or remotely from a computer.

 Contents of the course on Kela services:

 1. Kela's mission, organisation and activities

2. Kela's main forms of support for immigrants

3. Training in use of Kela online services

INFO: TE Office services

This information presents the services of the TE Office (Employment and Economic Development Office). The Info is given in Finnish and is open to all immigrants. Interpretation can be arranged for immigrants who are involved in the social welfare integration. 

The TE Office services information is two hours long. It is possible to attend the information session on the spot at Kotouttamo or remotely from a computer. 

Contents of the information on the services of the TE Office:

 - The role of the TE Office 

- Rights and obligations of unemployed jobseekers

- Services provided by the TE Office

COURSE: Working life skills

The Working Life Skills course is held in Finnish and is open to all immigrants who need information about Finnish working life and practical job search skills. The course consists of three teaching sessions, each lasting two hours. The participants may also  attend  parts of the course. 

It is possible to attend the first part of the course on site at Kotouttamo or remotely from a computer. The second and third parts of the course can only be attended on the spot. A certificate of attendance is awarded. 

Contents of the Working Life Skills course:

1. Finnish working culture, collective agreements and rules of working life

2. Main principles of job search, preparing for a job interview and articulating your skills

3. Writing a CV, learning necessary Finnish vocabulary 

INFO: Reception of refugees and family reunification

This information session will cover the selection of quota refugees and the family reunification of refugees. The information is given in Finnish and is open to all immigrants and others interested in the topic. Interpretation can be arranged for immigrants involved in the social welfare integration. 

The information on reception of refugees and family reunification will last two hours. It is possible to attend on the spot or remotely from a computer. 

Content of the information session on reception and family reunification of refugees: 

- Selection principles and anonymity of quota refugees

- Conditions for family reunification

- Family reunification: eligibility for family reunification

- Residence permit for other family members

INFO: Equality

This info session will discuss equality - how all people should be equal in society despite their differences. The info is held in Finnish and is open to all immigrants and other people interested in the topic. Interpretation can be arranged for immigrants who are involved in social welfare integration. 

The Equality Info will last for two hours. It is possible to participate on the spot or remotely from a computer. 

Contents of the information session:

- Equality in Law

- Promoting equality in public life

- The right to own language, culture, religion and sexual orientation

- Equality in the labour market and in working life

INFO: Residence permits and citizenship

This info session will go through the requirements for residence permits and citizenship and the application process. The information is held in Finnish and is open to all immigrants and other people interested in the subject. Interpretation can be arranged for immigrants involved in the social welfare integration. 

The information on residence permits and citizenship will last two hours. It is possible to participate on the spot or remotely from a computer.

Contents of the information on residence permits and citizenship: 

- Types of residence permits and criteria

- Term of residence and identity verification

- The impact of the type of residence permit on social security

- Conditions for obtaining citizenship

- Application procedure