Nicehearts in English

Nicehearts was established in 2001 with the aim to produce community-based activities for girls and women of different ages and backgrounds. Our mission is to enable girls and women to find their own place in society as its equal and unique members. All Nicehearts work is based on strong gender and culture sensitivity. With the Communityhouses in Espoo and Lappeenranta, the activities have been extended to families as well. 

Where can you find us?

We are established in five places around the Capital area and in Southern Carelia:

• Vantaa: Girls’ Space, the StrongWoman social support activities, Neighbourhood Mothers activities and groups

• Espoo: Communityhouse/Yhteisötalo, the StrongWoman social support activities, Neighbourhood Mothers activities and groups

• Helsinki:  Neighbourhood Mothers activities and groups

• Lappeenranta: Communityhouse/Yhteisötalo, Girls’ Space, Neighbourhood Mothers activities and groups

We currently employ 30 professionals from different backgrounds, and have very diverse partners across the country and internationally. Our values are based on equality, sense of community and joy. Our activities create strong networks and opportunities for daily encounters between girls and women, while advancing a culture of peace and tolerance in our society. Gender and culture sensitivity is at the core of all of our activities.

Gender sensitivity refers to encountering and accepting people without preconception.  Gender sensitive approach aims at broadening and reconstructing expectations and behavioural models related to gender. Gender sensitive work identifies different ways of manifesting gender but does not reproduce them without questioning.

Culture sensitivity refers to an ability to take into account special attributes related to different cultures. Also, it recognizes differences between people representing the same culture. The concept of multiculturalism also recognizes different cultures within a nation, since people in general tend to view their own culture as an unquestionable norm. A culture sensitive and norm critical viewpoint challenges one to recognize and deconstruct invisible models and expectations related to one’s own culture.  

Strong Woman -counselling service (WahvaNainen)

In WahvaNainen counselling service, women receive support and guidance to learn how to solve their daily challenges. Personal support and guidance is also offered for dealing with official and bureaucratic matters. The services are mainly targeted at women with different ethnic backgrounds, currently in need of special support. With the help of a comprehensive and individual guidance, support groups as well as volunteer work, women will strengthen their social skills and their sense of belonging to the society.

The WahvaNainen model is proven to be effective in supportive women who are at risk of being marginalized or are experiencing long-term and diverse challenges in their daily lives. These challenges can be a combination of the following: long-term unemployment, poor language skills, family-related issues, mental health, domestic or relationship violence, divorce and loneliness.

WahvaNainen also provides peer support and group activities alongside the individual guidance and support.

For more information, please contact: Johanna Snellman, johanna.snellman@nicehearts.com

Girls’ Space (Tyttöjen Tila) 

The main goal of the Girls’ Space activities is to support the growth and identity of girls and young women, helping and supporting them to become their unique personalities in an atmosphere that respects the sense of community, diversity and unity.

We offer a safe and positive space where girls and young women can come together, participate in peer support groups and other activities, receive personal guidance and support from the employees and meet new friends and find a hobby near-by. We also offer sexual therapy.  

We aim at encouraging girls and young women to listen to and respect themselves and others, as well as learn new skills and one’s role in the community. We offer girls and young women opportunities to participate, be heard and seen and contribute to the common good through the Girls’ Space activities.

The Girls’ Space in Vantaa and in Lappeenranta offer different activities for all girls of the age between 10-28 years​.

For more information, please contact: Sanna Heikkinen, sanna.heikkinen@nicehearts.com

For you in social media -project (Sua varten somessa)

“For you in social media” is a three-year joint project with the following non-governmental organizations: Nicehearts, Loisto setlementti and Setlementti Puijola. The aim of the project is to reduce sexual harassment and violence in social media channels such as Tiktok, Instagram and Snapchat. The project targets young people between the ages of 8-21. The project provides support to young people who have already faced sexual harassment and/or violence online or are in the risk of being harassed. The team is developing a unique model of being present on social media, providing also training and education for youth workers, parents and other professionals about youth work on social media.

For more information, please contact: Minerva Kettukuja, minerva.kettukuja@nicehearts.com

Neighbourhood Mothers (Naapuriäidit – toiminta)

Neighbourhood Mothers are women who have moved to Finland and been here for a little bit longer time already. Many of them have immigrated to Finland as adults and know the feeling of being lost in a new society. They have managed to learn the language and navigate their way through unknown systems thereby gaining a foothold in a new country. Now these Neighbourhood Mothers want to share their knowledge and help others in a similar situation as they were in. As peers, Neighbourhood Mothers are helping in understanding the society so that they too can take advantage of the opportunities in Finland and find their place in their new community.

Through our Neighbourhood Mother training women are graduating as Neighbourhood Mothers. This training gives tools to be a volunteer, shares information about local services, opens possibility to share your experiences and of course, enables getting to know new people in a safe environment.

Neighbourhood Mothers are also actively organizing their own acitivites. Peer support groups, thematical information sessions, workshops, events or more permanent group activities. Through organizing own activities, our ladies are able to gain more experience and confidence, as well as their own skills and professionality.

The program’s area of operation includes Vantaa, Espoo, Helsinki and in South Karelia especially in Lappeenranta and Imatra.

For more information, please contact: Anni Susineva, anni.susineva@nicehearts.com

Communityhouses/Yhteisötalot:

Communityhouses in Espoo and Lappeenranta, coordinated by Nicehearts and offer exciting and inspiring activities to all citizens.

Communityhouses offer leisure activities, courses, clubs and events, as well as help and advice for many different life situations and problem areas.

Our activities involve associations, local organizations, volunteers and residents of the area, who can also have the Communityhouses spaces at their disposal upon request.

Communityhouses also give the opportunity to meet new people, get peer support or, for example, play fun games. We provide facilities for all kinds of activities that support the well-being of our communities, planned according to their specific needs.

We always welcome your suggestions for the kind of activities that you would like to see implemented at the Communityhouses and we also take into consideration new ideas and ways to promote the well-being of the area’s residents. Courses, events, etc. can also be arranged in the evenings and on weekends as well.

The Communityhouse is a place where there is no us and them. It’s just us.

For more information, please contact: Jannica Wiik, jannica.wiik@nicehearts.com (Espoo) or Sanna Peronmaa, sanna.peronmaa@nicehearts.com (Lappeenranta)

Join us!

By joining the organisation, you can be part of the change making work, participate in developing the organisation and come to meetings to vote – or just show support by standing with us.

Everyone who shares Nicehearts values and goals can ask to join. The board accepts new members. Please fill in the (Finnish) form   

Private member: 0 €

Community member:  250 €

Support member: Freely chosen amount

Please fill in the (Finnish) form here or send email to johanna.sjoholm@nicehearts.com  for further information or request to join.

In your request, please give your name, street address, phone number,  and remember to specify which type of membership you are requesting for (see above).