Let class shine project to strengthen children's social skills honoured with an award for preventive substance abuse work

Espoo has awarded the Luokka loistamaan (Let class shine) project, which strengthens social skills, well-being and community spirit among Espoo children in the fourth and fifth grades, with the Ehkäisevän päihdetyön taitaja’ (skilled in preventive substance abuse work) award.

The biennial award highlights the effective, long-term and innovative preventive substance abuse work being done in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. 

Espoo, Vantaa, Helsinki, Kerava and Kauniainen honoured their local operators at the ‘Ehkäisevän päihdetyön taitaja’ event in Vantaa on 6 November.

By honouring the ‘Let class shine’ project, Espoo wants to highlight the preventive substance abuse work being done in schools and with children, and to draw attention to supporting protective factors, which is at the heart of substance abuse prevention.

‘Let class shine’ is a three-year project being jointly implemented by the Espoo Congregation and the City of Espoo's Growth and Learning Sector, which currently involves 25 Espoo schools, around 120 Espoo fourth and fifth grades and their 2,500 pupils. 

In the project's lessons, children learn key life skills such as emotional and social skills, friendship skills and team building, using pedagogical methods. The aim is to increase children's well-being and sense of community.

The project is helping children to strengthen their social skills before they enter lower secondary school, which will help them to cope with situations where intoxicants may be offered or present.

“‘Let class shine' is a significant investment in promoting life skills and well-being for the children of Espoo. By supporting children's social skills, the project strengthens the factors protecting against substance abuse before secondary school age," says the City of Espoo in the award criteria.

Preventive substance abuse work is a statutory activity for municipalities. The way it is done varies as this year's group of ‘Ehkäisevän päihdetyön taitaja’ award winners shows.

In Vantaa, the Youth Council was recognised for its commendable and exemplary initiative to reduce the use of e-cigarettes by young people.

Helsinki recognised the oral health professionals and health promotion team who are working with enthusiasm and a progressive approach in their long-term efforts to promote nicotine-free lifestyles.

In Kauniainen, the award was given to secondary school teacher Cecilia Alameri, and Ville Kyllönen, a school youth worker, who have strengthened community spirit, increased wellbeing and set an example in promoting a safe, substance-free and healthy lifestyle in the everyday lives of children and young people.

In Kerava, the prize was awarded to the Purkutaide collective for putting on the Ihmemaa X exhibition. The exhibition brought together professional artists and people with substance abuse and mental health problems to break the taboos and stigmas of the mental health debate for a more open and healthy society.