Moving to a new region may be difficult, and a new resident may need help and have many questions to ask. Several multilingual brochures have been prepared to support new residents, such as InfoFinland.fi https://infofinland.fi/ and the Welcome to Finland guide welcome-to-finland. It is worthwhile to read the brochures carefully, as they contain important information.
Integration and advice for immigrants
The brochures do not always answer your specific questions, or they may be too difficult to understand if you are not familiar with the Finnish society. Therefore, personal assistance is sometimes needed. In Kirkkonummi, you can ask for help and advice from many places, free of charge.
Integration Services
The Integration Services of the municipality of Kirkkonummi provide information on municipal services and the Finnish society to people who have relocated to Finland and become new residents of Kirkkonummi. Integration Services offer help and advice on a variety of everyday matters. In addition, Integration Services provide assistance for dealing with authorities, such as the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) and the TE Office.
Integration Services provide help in Finnish or English, and telephone interpreting can also be used if necessary.
Information on the reception times of Integration Services can be found here: https://www.kirkkonummi.fi/kotoutumisen-palvelut.
You can contact Integration Services by sending an email to kotouttaminen@kirkkonummi.fi or filling in the contact form on the Integration services’ website.
Ohjaamo One-Stop Guidance Centre
Ohjaamo Kirkkonummi is a guidance centre for people under 30 years of age. They can use the service also without an appointment from Monday to Friday 8:30–16:00. Ohjaamo provides support for everyday problems and help in finding a job, study place or a hobby. You can come to Ohjaamo alone or with your parents.
Luckan Kirkkonummi
Luckan Kirkkonummi offers immigrants information and advice on language studies, services in the region and how to apply for a job or study place. In addition, Luckan organises different kinds of meetings and events where you can meet people, have discussions and learn the language.
Luckan’s address is Saloviuksentie 3 (Shopping Centre Kirsikka), 02400 Kirkkonummi
International House Helsinki
Those who have moved to Kirkkonummi can also ask for advice and take care of official matters in the International House Helsinki. For more information, see https://ihhelsinki.fi/
Initial assessment and integration plan
Initial assessments for immigrants explore what kind of services best promote your integration into Finland. The initial assessment is carried out at the Employment and Economic Development Office (TE Office) in the Sello shopping centre in Leppävaara or in the Integration services of Kirkkonummi
Based on the initial assessment, the TE Office or Integration services will draw up an integration plan with you. Through the TE Office, you can access integration training or labour market training in Finnish or Swedish. https://infofinland.fi/settling-in-finland/integration-into-finland
Do you need an interpreter?
If you do not know Finnish or Swedish and you and the authority do not share a language, the authority will book an interpreter. In such cases, the use of the interpreter is usually free of charge for you. You can also use an interpreter in other situations if you order and pay for the interpreter yourself.
For more information, see https://infofinland.fi/settling-in-finland/do-you-need-an-interpreter
Financial problems
If your income and resources do not cover the cost of living, you can apply for help from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela). Officials at Kela’s service point are able to find out which financial support you are entitled to. They also provide advice on how to apply for subsidies.
You can get support and financial advice from the social services of the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County https://www.luvn.fi/en/services/social-services/financial-support/social-assistance.
If you do not have enough money to pay the rent, you can also ask for advice from the Housing advisory services of the municipality of Kirkkonummi. https://www.kirkkonummi.fi/asumisneuvonta
You can also seek help for financial difficulties from Financial and debt counselling by e-mail, telephone, chat or by arranging a meeting. Do not try to cope with your financial worries alone. If you ignore the problem, it will get worse. https://oikeus.fi/talousjavelkaneuvonta/fi/index.html#
