“Turku is good for you” refers to all the ways in which we enhance the well-being of city residents.
In Turku, we listen to residents, engage with them, and provide opportunities to participate and influence decision-making. We want everyone to have the opportunity to make healthy lifestyle choices and promote the well-being of their community. We create a good everyday life for residents, providing opportunities for a meaningful and happy life.
The unit of Health and Well-being Promotion
The promotion of well-being and health is an extensive statutory task coordinated by the unit of Health and Well-being Promotion. However, all municipal service packages and services promote the well-being of municipal residents.
The Health and Well-being Promotion Committee guides and supports the promotion of well-being and health at the municipal level.
The Older People’s Council is one of the six influence groups. It is a cooperative body for pensioners’ and elderly people’s organisations active in the City of Turku and the surrounding area. It considers matters from the perspective of older people.
The City of Turku cooperates with the Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland (Varha) and other organisations. For example, the well-being centres of Ruusukortteli and Lehmusvalkama offer low-threshold, open-access activities for older people.
The promotion of well-being and health also involves coordinating food assistance and housing counselling.
Well-being and a good everyday life for all
We take our share of responsibility for societal challenges, such as population ageing, social exclusion and unemployment. Turku residents must have the opportunity to enjoy a satisfactory standard of living, a sense of community, self-fulfilment, and the ability to harness their own resources.
Help before problems grow
We offer preventive services to stop problems from accumulating. This allows residents to take responsibility for themselves and their loved ones.
Collaboration brings joy
We work together with local organisations. This provides city residents with more recreational activities and wellness services, which we cannot offer on our own due to limited resources. We support and train organisations, while residents gain access to an increasing number of activities.
Turku as a city of culture
We foster the creation of diverse cultural activities and develop new ways to engage with culture. Our city is brimming with art, science and events for the whole family. Turku’s cultural programme has something for everyone.
Turku belongs to everyone
Equality means that all people are equal, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic or national origin, nationality, language, religion or belief, opinion, disability, health, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.
The city’s activities must be inclusive and non-discriminatory. According to the City Strategy, the multicultural and international city of Turku will be guided into the 2030s in line with the principles of sustainable development.
Turku in national and international networks
Turku is a member of the Healthy Cities Network of the World Health Organization (WHO). The network seeks to promote the physical and psychological well-being of residents and foster a healthier environment. The Finnish Healthy Cities Network shares the same objectives.
In these networks, cities share their best practices, learn from each other’s experiences, and collaborate on projects and initiatives. Participation in these networks enables Turku to introduce new ideas and opportunities to improve the well-being of its residents.