Partners of the Integration Foundation work hard every day to ensure that newly arrived immigrants living in Estonia receive the support they need and feel at home here. In this series of stories, we give them a voice to talk about the joys, challenges, and lessons learned in their work. This time, Mare Roov, case manager at the Social Affairs Department of Rakvere City Government, shares her thoughts and introduces her work.
Mare Roov, who works as a case manager at the Rakvere City Government, lights up when she can really help and support someone. ‘I like to listen, help, and guide. This job gives me the opportunity to contribute to the community in a different way,’ Mare points out, explaining what motivates her in her daily work.
Mare acts as a bridge between the local system and new immigrants, war refugees, and returnees. She supports people who have recently moved to Estonia, helping them with both the initial practical steps and a deeper level of adaptation. Rakvere and Lääne-Viru County in general are home to newly arrived immigrants from all over the world: in addition to Ukrainian war refugees, Mare also encounters Filipinos, Syrians, Russians, Belarusians, Finns, and Albanians in her daily work.
Joy at the progress of young people
When asked to recall a moment at work that has stayed with her, Mare first mentions the story of a Syrian family. The family had been living in Estonia for nearly eight years when Mare first met them. The eldest son of the family studied construction at a vocational school, but he was struggling: his Estonian language skills were lacking, and mathematics was particularly challenging. His mother and father, who did not speak Estonian, either, were unable to help their son with his studies.
Mare kept in touch with the young man and supported him as best she could. Last spring, he successfully graduated from vocational school. ‘In spring, after graduation, he came to my workplace with his diploma. There was a real spark in his eyes, he was very happy,’ Mare is proud of the young man’s achievements. ‘Thanks to graduating from vocational school, he was able to find a job in his field at a construction company. He still works there today.’
It is moments like these that confirm to Mare that quiet, day-to-day support and a consistent presence can be crucial for a newcomer.
A worry shared is a worry halved
Although Mare always comes to work with a smile, difficult moments are unavoidable. ‘The most difficult situations are those where a person finds themselves in a crisis and needs urgent help, but official processes move slowly,’ she says, giving an example of a common concern. ‘At times like these, staying calm is quite the challenge. I have learned that you have to approach things step by step, involving other specialists when necessary. You don’t have to solve everything on your own. I rely heavily on my team and colleagues from other local governments working in the same field.’
Rakvere is one of eight municipalities participating in the project ‘Support for local governments in providing integration, including adaptation services’ of the European Social Fund+. According to Mare, colleagues working in the field of integration and adaptation have established a strong network, who meet regularly to share their concerns and joys. ‘We have grown into a team of sorts. When a problem arises at work, I don’t have to solve it alone –I can ask others how they have been
helped in such situations. We communicate quite frequently,’ Mare is grateful for her support network.
Collaboration creates a sense of belonging
Although a large part of Mare’s daily work consists of the practical issues of newly arrived immigrants, such as finding a place to live or work and communicating with authorities, she also considers it important to organise activities that bring the community together and support mental well-being. She runs workshops and organises trips, which are highly valued among newly arrived immigrants.
‘People have been very grateful. When I meet them on the street, we greet each other, ask how the other is doing, followed by a question from them about when we will go on our next outing or what our next event will be. Moments like these give work real substance and meaning,’ she notes.
Time spent together supports language learning, familiarisation with Estonian history and culture, and mental health, providing space for easing worries. These trips have taken people all over Estonia: they have visited Tallinn’s Old Town, Narva, Tartu, Saaremaa, Ida-Virumaa, and Setomaa.
‘During our trip to Setomaa, we also had a short mental health training session conducted by psychologists. Those who wished could consult with a psychologist and schedule an appointment for the next conversation,’ Mare describes. The participants were sceptical at first: ‘They said that everything was fine, that they didn’t need any help, but after the training, people started to open up. They talked about their children and difficulties at school, their challenges in learning Estonian, and everything else they had kept to themselves until then.’
From accounting to integration
Although Mare now works in the field of integration and adaptation, this is still a relatively new world for her. ‘I am an accountant by training and worked in this profession for 42 years, 21 of which were spent in local government. It is precisely because of my work in the local government that I have had a lot of encounters with social issues,’ she says.
At one point, she felt that she wanted a career change. ‘Because I enjoyed helping others, especially working with children, I went to study to become a nanny and nursery school assistant. I completed the course, passed the exam, and obtained a childminder’s qualification, level 5. My initial wish was to work as a nanny in a nursery and perhaps later open my own small nursery.’
However, fate had other plans. Mare was offered a position to replace a colleague on parental leave at the Social Affairs Department of Rakvere City Government – an offer that led to her current job and calling.
The article appeared in the newsletter of cooperation partners in the field of adaptation.
