Examples of projects

Green Gate- Green Care project
Realization: 2011-2014

In the Green Gate project Finnish Blue Ribbon is developing suitable green care methods, which can be used in supported housing and treatment settings. The project is done in collaboration with eight Blue Ribbons member organizations, which are offering such services in Helsinki area. Participants are able to join for instance gardening and fishing activities. They are given a possibility to continue these activities in order to strengthen their personal welfare. Children and families visit green care farms and they are involved in animal assisted activities for  the same purpose.

The knowledge and experience concerning the use of green care methods will be shared with other organizations through training days, Internet pages and articles.

 
The project is supported by Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY).
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Tiltti – Information and support point project
Realization 2010-2014

In the development project Tiltti we have established a place where you can get information and support about gambling related harms. Tiltti situates next to the Gambling Clinic in Kaisaniemi, Helsinki. Drawing on the expertise of academics and practitioners in social sciences as well as service users and trained volunteers we develop and provide various support providing activities for gamblers, their significant others and professionals. In the core of our development work is peer support. We collaborate with several other Finnish NGOs and develop treatment interventions together with the Gambling Clinic personnel: our aim is then to help and support people before or after the treatment period or during it.

Project is supported by Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY).
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Too much is always too much – Aging and Alcohol

Realization:  2009-2011

The “Too much is always too much – Aging and Alcohol” project arose from a need to provide new sorts of substance abuse services for the elderly (over 60-year-old) population. This three year continuation project is focusing on transferring and implementing the models for substance abuse work developed in the first phase of the project as part of working methods by training, supporting and consulting with workers who meet with the elderly as part of their profession. The first phase of the project was realized in 2005-2008.

The “Too much is always too much – Aging and Alcohol” project received the TERVE–SOS award for 2009 in recognition for outstanding developmental work. This award is given annually by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Project is supported by Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY).
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Local Service Project

Realization:  2009-2013

The purpose of the Local Service Project is to secure the possibilities of those in the weakest positions to get support locally as municipalities restructure their public service systems. In this project cooperation is strengthened between organizations, municipalities, parishes and the Center for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment; and through this partnership active citizenship centers are developed, offering local services and support, such as guidance to appropriate public services, rehabilitation and peer support networks.

Project is supported by Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY).
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Regional Work Development Project

Realization: 2008-2011

In the Regional Work Development Project the Finnish Blue Ribbon’s member organizations are encouraged, supported and motivated to enter into regional networks and to take initiative in collaboration between themselves and with other actors in the field of substance abuse work. For purposes of this project, Finland is divided up into eight (8) regions and operations are based on biannual regional gatherings.

Project is supported by Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY).
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Clients’ Open Treatment Development Project

Realization: 2007-2011

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Clients’ Open Treatment Development Project (abbreviated from Finnish as PÄMI) is developing and experimenting with NGO-based open treatment facilities for those receiving therapy for substance abuse or mental health issues. In this project the resources of the Finnish Blue Ribbon, the Finnish Central Association for Mental Health and local operatives. Since 2009 this project has been operative in the cities of Tampere and Lahti.

Project is supported by Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY).

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INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS

Child in Focus
Realization: 2010-2011

Child in Focus – The international face of substance abuse problems in the eyes of a Namibian child, is the Finnish Blue Ribbon’s media and developmental education project. Its goal is to spread information about how substance abuse problems relate to poverty, social inequality, crime and the spread of HIV/AIDS in developing countries.

The subject is considered from a Namibian child’s perspective, among others. Social and Health service professionals, parish workers and others interested in the subject are invited to take part in this developmental cooperation work with international partner organizations, to investigate substance abuse questions from a global perspective.

Project is supported by official development aid from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
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Substance abuse training and networking in St. Petersburg
Realization: 2010-2011

Substance abuse training and networking in St. Petersburg -project is aimed to improve social services’, church parishes’ and NGOs’ capacity to identify harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption and to intervene in a constructive manner at an early stage so as to prevent more serious health and social consequences and dependence.

Early identification and brief intervention (EIBI) approach, that is used and promoted in the project, is considered to have potential in the social work with adults and young people, family work, domestic violence services, mental health rehabilitation etc. Besides municipal social services, it can also be provided by NGOs and churches.

Project is supported by official development aid from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

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