The Wellbeing Promoters of the Year 2025 have been selected
The organisers of the Goodwill Christmas event, Noora Maaninka-Matikainen, the Tuusula branch of the Finnish Red Cross, and the sheep grazing in Tuusula were selected as the 2025 Tuusula Wellbeing Promoters of the Year. The selection was announced on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, at an event held at Rykmentin Talo.
Nominations for the Wellbeing Promoter Award were collected from residents during November on the municipality’s website. A total of 40 individual nominations were received. Once again, the nominees included a diverse group of individuals, associations, companies and the municipality’s own activities.
– Warm congratulations to this year’s promoters of wellbeing! The selection was difficult, as each nomination is a testament to meaningful and valuable work for the benefit of others, says Aarno Järvinen, Chair of the Committee for the Promotion of Wellbeing and Health.
“Noticing actions and making their significance visible emphasises how each of us can promote each other’s well-being every day through small and large actions,” says Acting Director of Well-being Ada Pentinmikko.
“The proposals reflect the diversity of ways to promote well-being: they include events, handicrafts, resident activity, caring for others, preventing loneliness, promoting physical activity and supporting integration,” Pentinmikko continues.
Promoting wellbeing now also based on values
Since 2019, the Wellbeing and Health Promotion Committee has named the Wellbeing Promoter of the Year based on suggestions made by local residents. The Wellbeing Promoter of the Year can be a resident of Tuusula or someone who works in Tuusula and promotes the wellbeing of Tuusula residents through their activities. The award can be given to one or more individuals or organisations.
In Tuusula, there will be an even stronger focus on promoting wellbeing and health at the municipal level in the future. The municipal values developed in connection with the strategy work are a big heart, joint effort and responsible courage, which describe trust and openness, community spirit and working together, as well as responsibility and the ability to renew. The importance of these values is also reflected in the nominations for the Wellbeing Promoter of the Year award.
“The word cloud compiled from the justifications for the proposals highlights words such as community spirit, comfort, courage, activity and joie de vivre,” says Wellbeing Coordinator Annukka Luoderanta.
You can check out the word cloud at the end of the news article.
Promoting the well-being of residents is one of the municipality’s statutory core tasks. It is extremely important that Tuusula’s well-being work is being reinforced through reorganisation, and that the work is now also underpinned by the municipality’s shared values and strategy. Based on these, we will continue our diverse activities together with residents and communities to ensure a good life and everyday well-being, Pentinmikko sums up.
Wellbeing promoters of the year 2025
The organisers of the Goodwill Christmas event (Autetaan yhdessä ry) are holding a warm-hearted event open to everyone in collaboration with various partners. It is important that everyone in Tuusula has a place where they can go to spend time and celebrate Christmas together. The event has been held for several years and has made a happy Christmas possible for many lonely people.
Noora Maaninka-Matikainen devises, organises, communicates and actively works to bring joy to residents of all ages throughout the year. She has organised, among other things, Hyrylä’s Christmas windows, joint Christmas markets for communities, wool sock collections and other charitable activities.
The Tuusula branch of the Finnish Red Cross organises diverse, positive and inclusive activities. Activities that promote community spirit and well-being include the Friend programme, homework help, integration support, various events and first aid activities.
Sheep grazing in Tuusula (Jussi Salonen)
Sheep bring free wellbeing to everyone just by being there. Sheep attract entire families to come and see them, enjoy being petted and talked to, bring joy to residents of all ages and backgrounds, and help maintain the landscape of Tuusula.
Wellbeing promoters of the year 2019–2024
2024
KPK (Kaikki Polttaa Kaikkia) exercise programme, Uudenmaan Shotokan Karate-Do ry and Virta-yhdistys ry
2023
Hannu Huusko, Aleksanteri Romppanen, Tuusula winter swimming enthusiasts and Krapin Paja
2022
Ukrainian refugee volunteers, those responsible for maintaining the ice on Lake Tuusulanjärvi, and Takomo Gym
2021
Jekku ry, Mutterimaja, Myllykylän Mylly ry and Tuusula municipality ski trail maintenance
2020
Jokela sports facility manager Jari Kuusrainen and food aid organisations Hävikistä hyväkkiä, Eväskassi ry, Siskot ja Simot and Lyylin kahvila
2019
Arto Hanelius, Rusutjärvi Seura and Liikuntaseura Syke
Further information:
Acting Director of Wellbeing Ada Pentinmikko, ada.pentinmikko@tuusula.fi, +358 40 314 4001
Wellbeing Coordinator Annukka Luoderanta, annukka.luoderanta@tuusula.fi, +358 40 314 3035
This content has been translated using AI