From rickshaws to gyms – Volunteer work is active and creative in Hanko

Volunteer activities to help older people are vibrant in Hanko, and this is reflected in the streetscape, as well. You can see ‘Strength in old age’ hi-vis vests popping up around the city as volunteers go out together with older people.  

In order to strengthen the functional capacity of older people, many activities have been developed in Hanko: Outdoor friends (ulkoiluystävät) go out together with older people every week or every couple of weeks, peer pep squad members (vertaisveturit) instruct exercise in gyms, digital support people help with remote physical activity, and rickshaw captains (riksakapteenit) train other volunteers and City nursing staff as rickshaw drivers. 

Volunteers also help residents on a balance track that is part of a project by the City to prevent slips and falls and participate in pop-up events organised by the City by distributing e.g. anti-slip devices or reflectors.    

“Volunteers are vital to activating older people. Without them, the municipality could not organise all of this,” says Leena Hytti, Senior Service Manager of the City of Hanko. 

It all started some ten years ago with the ‘Strength in old age’ project, which was developed in cooperation with sports services and social welfare and health care services. The aim was in particular to strengthen the functional capacity of older people by means of physical activity. While the project has already ended, its good practices were adopted permanently and the activities in Hanko have gradually expanded. 

Volunteers were initially recruited at events organised by the City, where, in addition to the rest of the programme, people were told about training for volunteer work and invited to participate. Word of mouth did the rest. Fifty volunteers are now involved. 

“It is important that volunteer groups have a good atmosphere. Many of our volunteers are very active and participate in everything,” says Hanna Österlund, who coordinates volunteer activities in Hanko together with the representative of sports services Krista Grundström. 

Most volunteers are already retired, but anyone can join – there is no age limit. The important thing is the desire to help and participate. Training will be organised as necessary. 

Participants in voluntary activities may use the City gyms free of charge a couple of times a week. In addition, a Christmas party and small daily trips for volunteers have been organised annually with the support of the Aktia-stiftelsen i Hangö (Aktia foundation in Hanko) and the City.   

According to Hanna Österlund, many people over 75 may be fit enough to live at home, but feel lonely. The social wellbeing generated by voluntary activities and joint events is therefore as important as increasing physical activity. It also supports communality.  

What better than having a regular walk and getting to know a new person and maybe make a new friend at the same time? 

So if you have ever considered voluntary activities, don’t hesitate to take the first step and ask your municipality how you could participate. The municipalities of Lohja, Raasepori and Espoo in Western Uusimaa are currently implementing ‘Strength in old age’ projects.