Authors

• Eronen, Anne (Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health (STKL))
• Kinnunen, Petri (Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health (STKL))
• Särkelä, Riitta (Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health (STKL))

Keywords

neighbourhoods, public services, public transport, regional development, social networks, social support, social welfare

Abstract

The survey aimed at studying the development needs of welfare services in the regions of Oulu and Joensuu (Finland). Special emphasis was placed on the availability and nature of services in the respondent's own district and municipality. At first, respondents were asked about their financial and housing situation, interpersonal relations and life circumstances, both at the time of the survey and in future. Opinions on Finland's EU membership, increase in the number of foreigners and the internationalization of the country were investigated. Means of daily transport (bicycle, bus, train, taxi, private vehicle) and factors affecting transport choice were studied. Views on the quality and prices of public transport were probed. Respondents were also asked whether they have any mobility handicap. One theme pertained to shopping facilities: respondents were asked whether they buy their consumer goods inside or outside their district and where, and whether they were satisfied with the shopping facilities in their district .

Social networks were charted by asking how often and from whom respondents receive help, and whom respondents themselves help. Respondents' leisure activities, the location of such activities, and participation in voluntary organizations were examined. Regarding the future of welfare services, opinions on the role played by various bodies (e.g. relatives, voluntary workers or organizations, municipality, state, private service providers) in providing social support were charted. Further questions pertained to whether welfare service costs should be covered by public funding or by customer fees, would a one-stop shop in their district be beneficial for accessing various welfare services, and should social services be privatized. Respondents assessed possible future developments in the quality and availability of social, health and employment services and the services offered by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA).

The state of the present welfare services were charted by presenting a list of different social, health, employment and KELA services, and asking respondents to state whether they had used these services and to rate their quality and locality.

Background variables included the respondent's sex, basic education, household size, main activity, type of work contract, tenure, duration of residence in the district and moving intentions.