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From boules to gardening – the Hemsö Gift reaches more organisations

This year’s Hemsö Gift includes everything from play and learning to gardening and community activities. For the first time, the initiative reaches organisations across several of Hemsö’s property segments – from preschools and care homes to a youth clinic, rehabilitation services, the police and a museum. In total, 15 organisations across Sweden will receive support for initiatives that can make everyday life a little better.

The Hemsö Gift (Hemsögåvan) has been awarded since 2011 and is Hemsö’s way of enriching everyday life for the people who spend time in our buildings. Each year, Hemsö’s tenants can apply for funding for an initiative that goes beyond Hemsö’s usual responsibilities and can create enjoyment and lasting value.

In previous years, the Hemsö Gift has had a specific focus. In 2024, the recipients were organisations within healthcare and elderly care, while in 2025 the focus was on education. This year, the scope has been broadened to include organisations across several parts of Hemsö’s social infrastructure portfolio.

Welcoming outdoor environments

Many of this year’s gifts focus on creating welcoming outdoor environments where people can meet and be active.

At Måsnaren care home in Södertälje, the gift will fund a boules court – creating a place for activity and social interaction for residents, relatives and staff.

We are delighted to receive the Hemsö Gift. A boules court will bring residents, relatives and staff together and create a natural outdoor meeting place. We are looking forward to many enjoyable moments together.

Louise Eck, Unit Manager, Måsnaren care home in Södertälje

At Ängsklockan care home in Västerås and Gamla Övägen 27, a short-term care facility in Norrköping, raised garden beds will provide opportunities for planting, gardening and meaningful activities. Höganäs care home in Uppsala will receive gardening and planting materials, while Måsen outpatient care in Tyresö will receive outdoor furniture and plants.

Emelie Morell, unit manager at the Ängsklockan care home in Västerås, received the Hemsö Award from Hemsö’s property manager, Magnus Holmberg.
Emelie Morell, unit manager at the Ängsklockan care home in Västerås, received the Hemsö Award from Hemsö’s property manager, Magnus Holmberg.
Lena Bodrikow, business development officer at Norrköping City Council, received the donation certificate from Hemsö’s property manager, Maria Lagerström Åberg.
Lena Bodrikow, business development officer at Norrköping City Council, received the donation certificate from Hemsö’s property manager, Maria Lagerström Åberg.

At Selgrensgården care home in Gävle, an outdoor area will be created next to the hen house, giving residents an opportunity to spend time close to the animals in a safe and welcoming environment.

Play, movement and learning

Children and young people will also benefit from this year’s Hemsö Gift. Kunskapsskolan in Ystad will receive playground and break-time equipment to encourage physical activity and a sense of safety in the school grounds. At Kreatören preschool in Uddevalla and Källbyängar preschool in Lund, new equipment will support outdoor play, creativity and learning.

At Drottning Blanka Upper Secondary School in Gothenburg, the gift will support more sustainable travel. A new bicycle rack will make it easier for students and staff to cycle to school.

Places for relaxation and wellbeing

Several of this year’s gifts will help create places where people can feel safe, comfortable and able to recharge.

Sotenäs youth clinic in Kungshamn will receive cushions, plants and other interior details to create a warmer and more welcoming environment. The Department for Disability Services and Social Psychiatry in Ystad will receive outdoor furniture to create a pleasant space for staff.

It feels fantastic to have the opportunity to make our clinic even more welcoming. With plants, cushions and other details, we can create a warm and safe environment where young people feel comfortable and welcome.

Hannah Lawrance, Västra Götaland Region (VGR)

At Närhälsan Ängabo rehabilitation clinic in Alingsås, the gift will contribute to a more welcoming and accessible outdoor space that encourages people to spend time outside. At the National Museum of Science and Technology in Tensta, Stockholm, the Hemsö Gift will help create a meeting place for social interaction and meaningful activities across generations.

The National Museum of Science and Technology received the Hemsö gift from Johannes Tjulin, property manager at Hemsö.
The National Museum of Science and Technology received the Hemsö gift from Johannes Tjulin, property manager at Hemsö.

For the Swedish Police Authority in Solna, the Hemsö Gift will contribute to a more bicycle-friendly outdoor environment, encouraging physical activity, wellbeing and sustainable commuting.

Sofia Dahlgren, Hemsö’s property manager, handed over the certificate of the gift to the Solna Police.
Sofia Dahlgren, Hemsö’s property manager, handed over the certificate of the gift to the Solna Police.

This year’s recipients reflect the breadth of Hemsö’s operations and the many environments where people work, learn, receive healthcare and care services, meet and develop every day. Through the Hemsö Gift, we can contribute that little extra – initiatives that create enjoyment, community and lasting value in everyday life.

The Hemsö Gift shall:

  • go to activities in Hemsö’s properties
  • be outside Hemsö’s regular operations (e.g. do not replace renovations)
  • not replace what the tenant normally pays for with their own funds
  • go to something that can be used by both staff and students/residents over a longer period of time (e.g. greenhouses and sandboxes, not parties and dinners).