From Kitchen Table to Belonging: Service Design Guideline for Community Events for Older Immigrants
Nguyen, Thuy Duong (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052114355
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052114355
Tiivistelmä
As Finland’s population of older immigrants continues to grow, the need for inclusive, culturally sensitive social services becomes increasingly urgent. Many older adults with immigrant backgrounds face challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences, and social isolation, which can hinder their full participation in Finnish society. This functional thesis was carried out in cooperation with JADE, a non-profit organization that supports the inclusion and well-being of older immigrants. The aim was to design and implement a series of community-building culinary events that promote belonging, agency, and intercultural connection.
The development task was to create a practical, step-by-step guideline for professionals organizing inclusive and participatory events for older immigrants in Finland. The guideline was created using a service design approach, supported by social pedagogical principles such as participation, belonging, and the Finnish concept of “arki” (everyday life). Sociocultural animation methods such as shared cooking and eating, music, and collaborative interaction, were used to support intercultural dialogue and foster a sense of community.
Five social kitchen events were implemented in spring 2024 with Arabic- and Vietnamese speaking older adult groups, engaging a total of 115 participants. Participants were actively involved in selecting and preparing the meals, teaching others, giving feedback, and engaging socially. The evaluation was carried out through observational notes, interpreted group discussions, and verbal feedback using both open and closed questions. The feedback indicated strong positive responses related to language practice, agency, emotional well-being, and social inclusion.
The thesis demonstrates how meaningful everyday activities, when planned with care and co-creation, can create a sense of belonging and improve the quality of life for older immigrants. The final product, a visually designed guideline booklet, serves as a replicable tool for professionals working with diverse older populations in community-based settings.
The development task was to create a practical, step-by-step guideline for professionals organizing inclusive and participatory events for older immigrants in Finland. The guideline was created using a service design approach, supported by social pedagogical principles such as participation, belonging, and the Finnish concept of “arki” (everyday life). Sociocultural animation methods such as shared cooking and eating, music, and collaborative interaction, were used to support intercultural dialogue and foster a sense of community.
Five social kitchen events were implemented in spring 2024 with Arabic- and Vietnamese speaking older adult groups, engaging a total of 115 participants. Participants were actively involved in selecting and preparing the meals, teaching others, giving feedback, and engaging socially. The evaluation was carried out through observational notes, interpreted group discussions, and verbal feedback using both open and closed questions. The feedback indicated strong positive responses related to language practice, agency, emotional well-being, and social inclusion.
The thesis demonstrates how meaningful everyday activities, when planned with care and co-creation, can create a sense of belonging and improve the quality of life for older immigrants. The final product, a visually designed guideline booklet, serves as a replicable tool for professionals working with diverse older populations in community-based settings.