Teaching Clinic NoVa offers free support for health and wellbeing again in the autumn

During its first year, the teaching clinic in Palosaari, Vaasa has served 404 people. Another 330 people have taken part in group activities. People have especially appreciated that the services are free and that you can visit the clinic without booking an appointment.

The teaching clinic works together with the universities of applied sciences in Vaasa – VAMK and Novia. At the clinic, students do their internships under the guidance of experienced professionals from the Wellbeing Services County and offer people low-threshold services that are easy to access.

– There have been many wonderful moments. One parent of a child with diabetes said after a peer support meeting that it was the best thing to happen to them in a long time. That gave me goosebumps in a good way, says Satu Hakala, a social services student.

At the clinic, students get valuable experience working with clients but also help develop services.

– I got to develop services based on what I’m interested in. Getting real responsibility as a trainee has been a rare and amazing experience. For example, organising a webinar for parents about young people and social media was a learning experience I probably wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere, Satu adds.

Teaching clinic will reopen after a summer break

The teaching clinic will take a summer break starting from 18 June and reopen on 11 August. It will continue in the same place: the Alere building, wing C, at Wolffintie 31, Vaasa. In the autumn, the clinic will offer familiar services, as well as new ones based on what was learned during the first year.

– The teaching clinic is always improving. Even in the first year, our cooperation has grown, and we’ve taken our services out to where people are – by joining events, organising pop-up sessions and visiting different units, says Sanna Kujala, one of the instructors at the clinic.

At the teaching clinic, you can have your blood pressure and blood sugar checked, get advice on healthy living, and support for mental wellbeing. Students also help people use the Wellbeing Services County’s digital tools and show older people and their families how to use devices that support independent living at home. There are also peer support groups, for example for new parents and parents of children with diabetes.

– The development of the teaching clinic will continue until the end of the year as part of the EU-funded Prima Botnia project. In the autumn, we will plan how the clinic could become a permanent part of the services of the Wellbeing Services County, says project manager Sonja Kotala.

Praise for strong cooperation

Teaching Clinic NoVa has strengthened the cooperation between the Wellbeing Services County and the local universities of applied sciences. In spring 2025, the teaching clinic received recognition from Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK).

The award, “VAMK Person of the Year”, highlighted the unique way different organisations and language groups have worked together, giving students the chance to be involved in promoting health and wellbeing together with the Wellbeing Services County.

The teaching clinic was seen as a good example of how project funding can be used to create new and innovative public services. The award jury especially praised the long-term effort, open communication, and strong belief in working together.

The goal of the teaching clinic is to continue offering people easy-to-access services and improve the health and wellbeing of residents.