Study title

The survey conducted by the Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health was part of a larger research project which involved the universities of Lapland, Oulu and Kuopio, and international co-operation partners from Sweden, Norway and Scotland. The purpose of the survey was to chart inhabitants' welfare and their opinions on welfare services. The focus was on the people's relationship with their own living and working environment. First, the respondents' opinions were charted on the available traffic connections and the functioning of public transport. They also rated the importance of various persons/bodies (family, relatives, friends, neighbours, voluntary organisations, municipal or government officials, parishes, private service providers, etc.) in providing financial, spiritual and emotional support, or providing help with domestic responsibilities or with child/elderly care. Experiences and satisfaction with a number of social, health and employment services, as well as the services provided by KELA (Social Insurance Institution of Finland) were charted. They were asked whether they had received enough information on social services, and what would be the best way to inform people about the services. The respondents' use of private health and social services (e.g. pharmacies, private medical services, home and child care services, services for substance misusers) were also studied, as well as the availability of certain basic services, such as shops and social services. In view of participation, the respondents were asked to assess the importance of the so-called 'third sector' with relation to various things, for instance securing livelihood and employment and providing possibilities to influence decisions. They were also asked whether they were members in any voluntary organisations (NGOs) or associations, and if yes, what kind of roles they had in them. The reasons for being involved in the activities of an organisation or association were also...