Tuuli works in pay-subsidised employment at the Itäkeskus Service Home. She has gained valuable work experience while helping others and bringing joy to everyday life at the home.
The Itäkeskus Service Home has a cosy atmosphere. In the living room of the Kehäkukka group home, residents watch TV while staff tidy up after breakfast in the kitchen. Tuuli Viding, 21, is wiping down the tables.
Tuuli started working at the home at the beginning of the year on a three-month work try-out. As the try-out went well, it was followed by pay-subsidised work three days a week. Her job description includes a range of tasks that support care work.
"I wipe the tables and door handles in the dining room. I take care supplies and rubbish bags to the residents’ rooms. I’ve also cleaned walkers and other assistive devices."
At Itäkeskus, the work is tailored to each employee’s strengths, so Tuuli has not found the job particularly challenging.
"Well, I’ve sometimes had trouble fitting the clean laundry on the shelves when they’ve been full," Tuuli says with a smile.
The work try-out and pay-subsidised employment were organised in cooperation with the Aula-työkoti centre. Aula’s employment counsellor supported the employer in tailoring Tuuli’s tasks and familiarising her with the job. They also made sure along the way that everything continued to run smoothly. On Mondays and Tuesdays, Tuuli takes part in work activities that support participation and employment skills arranged by Aula-työkoti.
In addition to maintaining cleanliness, an important part of Tuuli's work has been to keep the residents company. She has read magazines with them, played memory games, sung songs from the Suuri toivelaulukirja songbook and tossed a ball. When a resident mentioned cat videos, Tuuli put some on the screen.
“Keeping company with the elderly has been memorable. I remember everyone’s name by heart. I’ve received good feedback from the residents – they say that I’m a nice girl."
Tuuli’s contribution has been valuable for the whole working community. There has been no need to keep tabs on this conscientious worker. Instead, Tuuli always works according to the agreed schedule. Her cheerfulness has spread not only to the residents of the group home but also to the rest of the staff.
“Tuuli always comes to work in such a good mood. Her enthusiasm for the job spreads to the rest of us,” says Supervisor Anna-Kaisa Isokangas from the Kehäkukka group home.
Keeping company with the elderly has been memorable. I remember everyone’s name by heart.
Tuuli’s dreams for the future include having a flat of her own, a trip to Japan and a permanent job. Both Tuuli and Anna-Kaisa believe that the work experience gained at Itäkeskus Service Home will be useful when applying for jobs in the future. Getting a taste of working life has been meaningful.
"It has been nice to work here and keep the elderly company," Tuuli says.
In 2024, the City of Helsinki Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division offered more than 460 pay-subsidised jobs and apprenticeships for jobseekers in Helsinki. The aim of work try-outs and temporary pay-subsidised employment is to provide valuable work experience and meaningful opportunities for those who need special support in finding work.