# Supporting International Families Through Family Coaching in Wellness Center - Savonia AMK

> Supporting international families through family coaching in Nursing education at Future HealhHUB-project.

## Project Overview
Between September and October 2024, the Future Health Hub (FHH) project brought together students, public health nurses from the city of Kuopio, Savonia teachers, and the Wellness Center coordinator to support eight international families in Kuopio. This collaboration between Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Finland and ISCISA in Mozambique aimed to integrate practical nursing education with real-life experiences, focusing on prenatal and postnatal family coaching.

## Coaching Content and Support
Expecting a baby can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially for international families who may be unfamiliar with the local healthcare system and cultural expectations. The coaching sessions provided essential support on key topics such as:
* Prenatal well-being
* Nutrition
* Mental health
* Fetal development
* Postnatal care (newborn feeding, safe sleep practices, maternal recovery, and emotional support)

## Student Involvement and Experiential Learning
Five nursing students—three from Savonia and two from ISCISA—were responsible for planning and delivering the coaching sessions. This hands-on experience provided them with an opportunity to strengthen their clinical skills and develop their ability to communicate complex professional information in a client-friendly way.

By using various teaching methods, including presentations, videos, and hands-on demonstrations, they adapted healthcare education to a multicultural audience. The experience also helped them build confidence in providing family-centered support and working in diverse healthcare settings.

## Community and Peer Support
One of the most valuable aspects of the coaching sessions was the interaction between participants. Families were encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences, fostering a supportive atmosphere where parents could learn from one another. This exchange of knowledge helped reduce feelings of isolation for families who had recently moved to Finland. Furthermore, the families were able to continue communicating with each other after the coaching concluded, providing a lasting community perspective.

## Challenges and Adaptations
The project faced challenges such as language barriers, which were addressed through creative solutions like visual aids and simplified explanations. Scheduling also required flexibility to accommodate the different commitments of the participating families. The collaborative approach and willingness to adapt ensured that all participants could fully engage, demonstrating the strength of multicultural teamwork.

## Future Development
Feedback from participants and students suggests several areas for growth:
* Increasing interactive elements to further involve families in the learning process.
* Implementing follow-up sessions to assess long-term impact and provide continued support.
* Expanding the program to include additional healthcare topics such as child development, mental health, and parental well-being.

## Conclusion
The Future Health Hub Pilot demonstrated the power of experiential learning in nursing education. By combining evidence-based knowledge with hands-on practice, the project supported international families while providing invaluable learning opportunities for students. This model highlights the benefits of work-life partnerships, where the presence and support of professionals guide quality learning and the development of effective cooperation.

## Authors
* **Marja Gröhn-Rissanen**, International Coordinator, Senior Lecturer, MSc, Rn. Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Department of Healthcare, marja-liisa.grohn-rissanen@savonia.fi.
* **Terhi Kulo**, Nursing Lecturer, MHS, PHN, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Department of Healthcare, terhi.kulo@savonia.fi
* **Salla Lommi**, Service coordinator of Savonia Wellness Center, Savonia Moves Project Manager, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, salla.lommi@savonia.fi