Anttula as a company
”In 2008, I stopped to consider a very important question for myself: can I love another person’s mentally disabled child? I had my own mentally disabled son, who was infinitely dear to me. He passed away at the age of 7. Through him, I learned what genuine caring and responsibility mean in everyday life. The answer to the question was finally clear. My love was not limited. It was also enough for the children of other families.”.
Based on this realization, I founded a family home for children with intellectual disabilities, which later grew into Anttula Night Village Ltd. My husband Esko has been by my side in this work from the beginning.
The same idea still carries us:
Every child deserves to be met with dignity, safety and genuine care.
Parents tell us:
Anttula is a home – not just a place to live
”Anttula is a home for children. It is not just a place where employees go to work, but a home where children live and live their everyday lives. The employees are there for the children, and the starting point is clear: we work in a children’s home.
Anttula’s house and cozy environment support a peaceful everyday life. The place feels safe and familiar, and the children’s individual needs are truly taken into account.
Parents are regularly informed about what their child or young person has done and what they have participated in. This is considered of primary importance. The staff not only informs, but also actively suggests and thinks about what the child could benefit from. Communication is easy and natural.
Parents appreciate that the staff really stop to think about how to support and improve the child’s everyday life. If there are challenges in everyday life, health concerns, or the child gets sick with the flu, for example, the parents are contacted immediately. The communication is really good and it builds strong trust.
When my child gets sick, I know that he or she will receive the best possible care right away. Parents don’t have to worry about treatment being delayed. This makes everyday life easier, especially when living in a different location.
When I previously wished for more proactive information in cases of illness, the feedback was immediately accepted and the actions were changed. Since then, the information has come in good time, and it has been easier to prepare for everyday life. It was a relief to see that the feedback was really heard.
I can see that my child is enjoying himself at Anttula. He laughs, smiles and speaks his own language. When he was previously in temporary care elsewhere, his speech stopped and his smile disappeared. At Anttula, his joy returned. He has made friends and feels like he belongs.
Anttula is a suitable size group home. A small group home also protects against infections, as there are fewer people and everyday life remains controlled. The caregivers immediately know how each child is doing and in what mood, and are able to react quickly. Children and young people know each other, and permanent friendships bring security.
”Anttula has been a great place. Looking back, I feel like my child could have moved here earlier – and not only when the family’s own resources were running out.”.
Overall rating 10
””The meaning of Anttula for us is above all related to home and coziness. A group home of a suitable size, a cozy house and a peaceful environment create a familiar and reliable everyday life. When the environment and people remain the same, it is easier for a child to be.
Before Anttula, my child was in temporary care far away, two hours away. The units were large and hospital-like, and the other residents were not my child’s age. Anttula was found almost by accident and turned out to be the best possible option for us. Now the trip to Anttula is short, which makes visiting and keeping in touch much easier.
My child fell in love with Anttula right away. The colorful room, visuals, and warm atmosphere felt familiar. Anttula has a clear daily routine, a predictable daily rhythm, and familiar, safe adults. It shows in the child’s well-being: he or she is relaxed, smiling, and calm.
My child has made friends at Anttula. The permanence of friends is important, and at Anttula it is achieved because the turnover is low. There is a relaxed feel at Anttula, but there is a solid professionalism behind it. The staff is always welcoming and accepting.
It is important for parents to receive regular pictures, videos and information about their child’s everyday life. It makes them happy and increases their confidence. I feel that my child is doing well at Anttula – I can sense it and see it in their gestures, facial expressions and how they are happy to return to Anttula after a holiday.
Nowadays, the journey to Anttula is short, which makes visits easier. At the same time, I worry about the future. The thought that such small, safe places that have become homes for children could be closed and children moved to large units seems scary. Anttula is not just a service for us – it is my child’s home.
One of the most important things for a parent is being able to sleep peacefully at night knowing that their child is in a good and safe place.
The overall rating for Anttula is 10.”.
No longer a problem child
”We are a family with an immigrant background and have lived in Finland for less than 10 years. Our child moved to Anttula less than a year ago. Before that, he had been in two different similar units, where we were told that he could not be managed due to his challenging behavior. We felt that our child was abandoned in these places.
The social worker recommended Anttula to us because it has children with developmental disabilities who need special support and the expertise to face and resolve challenging behavior. Everything has gone really well at Anttula since the beginning. Our child has returned to school and his behavior has clearly calmed down.
Our child calls us every day and tells us how he is doing. He likes to go back to Anttula after his holidays at home: he puts on his own clothes and goes with us. We are sent pictures and videos from Anttula about his everyday life and hobbies. They go to the swimming pool, go outside, bake and cook – our child especially likes these.
We are very grateful that Anttula has taken our child’s diet into account. Food is prepared for him with familiar spices and only beef and chicken are offered, which is important in our religion.
Our child is social and can already name his friends. We parents feel safe when our child is at Anttula. It is great that the parents’ views are listened to and that our child’s everyday life is constantly developed based on them.”.
A father’s story about Anttula
”We first went to Anttula to get to know it, and even then we got the feeling that here children are met as they are.
Our family’s life situation changed quickly, and an urgent placement was arranged for our child. Anttula became a safe place for him. As a father, it has been important to notice that parents are listened to and helped when their own strength is low, even in very practical matters.
Our child goes on vacations home regularly, but he always returns to Anttula with a happy heart. It has become his home.
Rehabilitation in Anttula has been absolutely amazing. The nurses and physiotherapist have worked long-term on the child’s terms, and the progress is visible in everyday life. Our child can now manage without a wheelchair both indoors and outdoors. As a father, I feel that this has been a big and meaningful step in his life. He has been able to move on his own two feet with the help of assistive devices. The goal is that in the future he will be able to walk at least indoors without walking aids.
Everyday life in Anttula is lively and meaningful. There is not just being there, but doing and experiencing. Our child can swim, go on nature trips and cycle. Nature is close by and part of everyday life. Our child loves trips. The highlight of last summer was that our child was able to go on a trip to Helsinki with the nanny and go shopping at the ”Big Church”.
Anttula has a calm and safe atmosphere. The nurses are genuinely involved in the children’s everyday lives, and humanity is evident in the little things. One nurse was expecting a baby, and our child lived the wait with excitement. It was great that the nurse came to show her baby on her maternity leave. Everyone was able to congratulate and admire the new arrival.
We live a normal, human life in Anttula. My greatest wish as a father is that our child would be able to continue in Anttula and not be taken away because of savings. It is also great that next summer our child will be confirmed and a confirmation party will be organized for him in Anttula with our family. It feels right.”.
After a difficult decision, a home was found
””Our child has been in Anttula for almost two years. Our family’s life situation changed suddenly due to a parent’s acute illness, and we were faced with an urgent placement. Anttula was found on the recommendation of social workers – and although it is a long way, it has proven to be the perfect place for our child.”.
It is notoriously difficult to find a suitable place for children and young people with intellectual disabilities under the age of 18. Along the way, we have increasingly felt that Anttula is the right one. Handing over our own child to someone else’s care was extremely difficult for the parents, even though it was necessary in the situation. It has been a great relief that we receive lots of pictures, videos and news from Anttula. We get to be involved in the child’s life – and so do the grandparents.
Anttula is staffed by professionals who do their job with all their heart. The way they work is amazing: warm, individual and truly rehabilitative. Even though we parents miss our child, we clearly see how much good care, guidance and presence he receives. We are grateful that Anttula’s place “fell into our laps”.
The cooperation between the parents and Anttula has been open and functional. We have given feedback and expressed wishes, for example regarding medication, and the feedback has been taken immediately to the nurse and the team to find a common solution. Screen time was also discussed when it was too much. Boundaries were agreed together, and screen time has been replaced by much more: guidance in play, activities and active activities – living your own life, not watching other people’s lives.
Our child loves long walks and exploring the forest. Animals are important to him, especially brushing the horse. It was wonderful to see how he welcomed the New Year with joy, with the rockets going off. Music is the dearest and most important thing to him: he has a really sharp ear for music, and at Christmas everyone was amazed by his singing when he sang to Santa Claus.”The Christmas tree has been built”. ”He is our true happy songbird.”.