Espoo’s first family centre to open on 19 May 2022

The Espoon keskus Family Centre houses the Espoon keskus maternity and child health clinic, children’s rehabilitation services, family social work, family counselling, family law services and child welfare services. Other parties working with families, such as different organisations, may also use the facilities.

“The new Family Centre is a one-stop-shop for services where a child and their family can get the help they need at an early stage. At the same time, we can improve cooperation between professionals,” says Mari Ahlström, Director of Family and Social Services at the City of Espoo. “Other services important to families, such as a library and a health centre, are located nearby.”

The Family Centre is located at Kamreerintie 6, close to the Espoo railway station. The building, constructed in the 1980s, has been thoroughly renovated, including all surface structures and technical building services. The property is owned by Hemsö and has been leased to the City of Espoo. NCC was in charge of the renovation project. “We focused on the health, functionality and safety of the facilities,” says Construction Project Manager Kirsi Viheriäranta from Hemsö. “Spatial planning has been carried out in close cooperation with users, and the starting point for planning was to ensure that professionals are able to engage in multidisciplinary cooperation and consult each other more easily.”

Fyra Oy was responsible for the main design and project planning. The designers based their plans on a human-oriented and inclusive approach. The old industrial and office building was turned into a pleasant and cosy environment suitable for children and their smaller size. The designers wanted to avoid a serious, official atmosphere. The colour scheme of the facade is repeated indoors, creating a home-like environment.

“It is wonderful to see the completed building. I am sure that it will serve Espoo families excellently,” says Manager of Health Care Raija Vanhatalo, who has been managing the family centre project in Espoo.

The Family Centre will be visited by some 400 clients each day, and it will be a home base for about 230 family and social services professionals. The building features a total of 58 rooms for client appointments and 25 rooms for meetings and group activities. On the first floor, there are computers that clients can use for filling in preliminary information forms and Kela applications, for example. There are also self-care points for the clients of the maternity and child health clinic. The lobby is meant to serve as a living room for local residents. It includes a small stage and a self-service café.

According to the service network plan that was approved by Espoo’s City Council in December 2010, the services provided for families with children by the city’s Family and Social Services will be brought together at four family centres with excellent transport connections. The Family Centre in Espoon keskus is the first one. The Family Centre has been planned with residents’ wishes in mind, in line with the Espoo Story. It is easy for Espoo residents to visit the Family Centre, and its services have been planned based on the wishes of local families.

Further information:

Mari Ahlström, Director of Family and Social Services, City of Espoo, mari.ahlstrom@espoo.fi, tel. +358 43 8256658

Raija Vanhatalo, Manager of Health Care, City of Espoo, raija.vanhatalo@espoo.fi, tel. +358 46 8772774

Kirsi Viheriäranta, Construction Project Manager, Hemsö Suomi Oy, kirsi.viheriaranta@hemso.se, tel. +358 40 0212590

Simo Karjalainen, Head of Project Development, Hemsö Suomi Oy, simo.karjalainen@hemso.se, tel. +358 40 0766664

What is the Family Centre?

The Family Centre offers a variety of services for families with children under one roof. This includes the Espoon keskus maternity and child health clinic, children’s rehabilitation services, family social work, family law services, family counselling, child welfare services, and services provided by various organisations.

Where? In Espoon keskus at Kamreerintie 6

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 8:00–18:00, Fri 8:00–16:00

For whom? Families in Espoo

Read more about family centre.