WoHealth increased immigrant mother’s opportunity to reach satisfactory standard of health and wellbeing and thereby supported their integration in unfamiliar culture. 

The project developed an education model for peer support of immigrant women who are pregnant or have small children. Women who have lived in the country for a longer time and gained knowledge and understanding of the local culture and service system; were educated to volunteer as peer supporters. The aim of peer supporters is to motivate and support other immigrant women to maintain their health and well-being and to find out new ways to take care their children’s health and well-being. Peer supporter guide in easy language was developed to increase capacity of volunteers.

The project supported collaboration between immigrant clients and professionals in health care, especially children and maternity clinics. Some immigrant women received peer support during their appointments in maternity and child health clinics. In total, 28 leaflets in easy language were prepared in order to improve information about health. The leaflets cover most important topics concerning motherhood, parenthood and childcare, and are available online in printable format.

 All materials in Finnish and Swedish: https://www.tuas.fi/en/research-and-development/projects/empowering-immigrant-women-supporting-their-and-th/