Estonia’s largest elderly care group, Südamekodud, thanked its employees, volunteers and partners at a recognition event. Awards were presented in five categories to value those whose work and presence keep older people’s everyday lives safe, meaningful and humane.

The recognition for the event’s most important cooperation partner, Friend of the Heart 2025 was awarded to Social Insurance Board, because for Südamekodud it is crucial to have a partnership that goes beyond guidelines and genuinely contributes to the development, quality and smoother daily work of care services. The recognition was accepted by the Director General of the Social Insurance Board Maret Maripuu.

“Work in the care sector is never anonymous – it is done by people. People who notice, care and want to work with older people. For successful operation, Südamekodud also need partners – both in local communities and beyond. Only by working together can we offer our residents the best possible service. The entire sector is making a major leap forward due to the care reform, but it is also important that society’s attitude towards caring for older people and dignified ageing changes. Recognising dedicated employees and partners is the least we can do to support our people,” said a member of the Management Board of Südamekodud AS Keiu Talve.

“These are the people – faces and names, and their actions – who every day create a sense of safety and dignity through their attitudes, skills and care,” added Talve.

The Heart of the Year 2025 award was given to Valkla Südamekodu. Video clip on ETV Terevisioon

“Within our 12-member Südamekodud family, Valkla Südamekodu is a home where significant results have been achieved over the past year: the home is well maintained, changes have been implemented successfully, service quality has been preserved despite labour shortages, and the house is filled with wonderful people and meaningful leisure activities for residents. According to colleagues, the Valkla Südamekodu team is characterised by strong unity, a ‘let’s get it done’ attitude and the ability to see solutions instead of obstacles,” said a member of the Management Board of Südamekodud AS Meelis Mälberg. The award was accepted by Manager of Valkla Südamekodu Merle Pussak.

In addition, each Südamekodu presented the Hearts of the Home award – this title was given to colleagues who are dedicated to their work, serve as role models for others or have accomplished something remarkable during the past year.

The recognition event also highlighted local cooperation partners (Local Friend of the Heart of the Year) and volunteers (Heart Keeper of the Year), who help keep older people’s days meaningful and warm.

Hearts of the Home, Friends of the Heart and Heart Keepers of the Year across Südamekodud all over Estonia

1. Järve Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Diana Mironova, Friend of the Heart of Järve Südamekodu Ljuba Kuptsova.
2. Värska Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Annemai Kullasaar, Friend of the Heart of Värska Südamekodu Ivi Alve from Värska Family Health Centre and Heart Keeper of Värska Südamekodu Koit Kask.
3. Kunda Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Galina Karasjova, Friend of the Heart of Kunda Südamekodu is Kunda Kindergarten Kelluke.
4. Saaremaa Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Külli Naagel, Friend of the Heart of Saaremaa Südamekodu is Arens Ehitus.
5. Käru Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Kristi Saia, Friend of the Heart of Käru Südamekodu is Tiia Tuisk and Heart Keeper of Käru Südamekodu is Olavi Laur.
6. Lihula Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Velle Kivisalu, Friend of the Heart of Lihula Südamekodu is Tarmo Oolup and Lestauim OÜ.
7. Piigaste Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Heli Ojamaa, Friend of the Heart of Piigaste and Tartu Südamekodu is Alo Abiline and Teresa Abivahendikeskus and Heart Keeper of Piigaste Südamekodu is Liivia Vaas.
8. Merivälja Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Leidi Uukkivi, Friend of the Heart of Merivälja Südamekodu is AS Lavateir.
9. Valkla Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Aleksei Tregubov, Friend of the Heart of Valkla Südamekodu is Elvis Paat and IT Sensor OÜ and Heart Keeper of Valkla Südamekodu is Raili Puskar.
10. Pirita Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Tetiana Stryzhak, Friend of the Heart of Pirita Südamekodu is Valgamaa Vocational Education Centre and Heart Keeper of Pirita Südamekodu is the Order of Malta in Estonia.
11. Tartu Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Nina Deredzhieva, Friend of the Heart is Alo Abiline and Teresa Abivahendikeskus and Heart Keeper of Tartu Südamekodu is Loreja Matole.
12. Paide Südamekodu Heart of the Home 2025 – Oksana Malovaniuk, Friend of the Heart of Paide Südamekodu is Pastor Andres Tšumakov from Paide Holy Cross Congregation.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

Südamekodud awards are presented for the third time, in five categories: Heart of the Home, Heart of the Year and Friend of the Heart.

Heartlet of the Year (Aasta Südameke) is one employee in each Südamekodu who is dedicated to their work, has been a role model for colleagues, or has accomplished something noteworthy during the past year.

Heart of the Year (Aasta Süda) is one of the homes in the Südamekodud group where significant results have been achieved over the past year.

Heart Friend of the Year (Aasta Südame Sõber) is a person or an organisation from the Südamekodud group, its network or partners, who has made a significant contribution to improving and streamlining the work of Südamekodud and has thus helped enhance the quality of the services.

Local Friend of the Heart of the Year is a person or organisation among partners who has made a significant contribution to improving and streamlining the work of a specific Südamekodu, thereby helping to enhance the quality of services.

Heart Keeper of the Year is a volunteer of a specific Südamekodu who has dedicated their time to engaging residents, listening to them or being a companion, and has served as a role model for other volunteers or accomplished something noteworthy during the past year.