Meaningful programming, activities during recess and breaks as well as relaxation for schoolchildren and numerous sports projects from skateboarding to outdoor gyms – OmaStadi funding has been used to implement residents' ideas in Helsinki, such as a robotics club for the younger pupils at Vuoniitty Comprehensive School.
Every Thursday afternoon, pupils study robotics at Vuoniitty Comprehensive School. First and second graders arrive in the robotics club first, and after one hour, it is the turn of third and fourth graders.
“The club has been very popular. We have around twenty active participants,” says club instructor, special needs class teacher Anna Laine-Çam.
The robotics club, which is free of charge to the participants, was initially an OmaStadi project, i.e. the idea for the club was proposed by residents of Helsinki. Anyone can submit a proposal to OmaStadi to promote positive change in Helsinki. The residents will then vote on the best proposals to be further developed, and many of them are implemented.
In addition to Vuoniitty Comprehensive School, robotics clubs started at Aurinkolahti Comprehensive School, Laakavuori Primary School, Myllypuro Comprehensive School, Puistopolku Comprehensive School and Vesala Comprehensive School in spring 2023. OmaStadi funding was used to purchase LEGO Education robotics equipment and other supplies for the schools to implement the clubs. OmaStadi funding was also awarded for instructor wages.
According to Laine-Çam, there are many children who like to do things with their hands and make crafts, but who have not found the right hobby. They have been able to find a hobby suited for them in the robotics club.
“We have built all manner of space stations, ships and cars in here.” Participants can start by following age-appropriate instructions. Once they become more skilled, they can apply their programming and construction skills to their own projects.
The robotics club at the school was funded through OmaStadi funding for one year. The City also funded the continuation of the activities, because since spring 2024, the club has been run with funding from the school budget. In addition to the club, the equipment has been utilised in other instruction at Vuoniitty Comprehensive School.
The residents of Helsinki have taken to proposing activities for schoolchildren through the OmaStadi scheme, often in connection with schools. Recently, OmaStadi funding has been targeted at Laajasalo Comprehensive School, for example, where plans to boost activities during recess are being finalised. The school’s pupils have also participated in the planning of recess activities and the renovation of the schoolyard.
East Helsinki is also home to the ‘Idän Olohuone’ (eastern living room) activities. The purpose of the activities is to offer young people a chance to maintain and forge friendships while engaging in communal activities during and after the school day. The living room is a pleasant and safe place for spending time in the presence of adults.
“The proposal was born out of a real need, because there is no youth space in Puotila. We first suggested living room activities in Puotila, but the idea did not pass. We expanded the proposal to cover all of East Helsinki on the next OmaStadi round. It was voted through that time,” says Mikko Sorsa, who was involved in drafting the ‘Eastern living rooms’ proposal.
The people drafting the winning proposal worked hard on the proposal. They contacted local families and operators, marketed the OmaStadi proposal and asked people to vote.
“In a way, OmaStadi is a channel for the residents to communicate the services and things they want to the City.
When a new primary school was completed in Puotila in autumn 2022, it was used as the venue for the living room activities pilot. Youth worker Antti Mähönen, who works at the school, has his own facilities suitable for relaxing at the school. ‘Antti’s club’ has an open door policy and provides the opportunity to play board games and floorball, do homework and talk.
Sorsa lives in Puotila and serves as the vice chair of the Puotila association. Sorsa has participated in actively developing living room activities in the role of a resident.
According to Sorsa, OmaStadi makes it possible for residents’ wishes to be heard by decision-makers – including wishes that are not made a reality.
“In a way, OmaStadi is a channel for the residents to communicate the services and things they want to the City.”
The living room activities at Puotila Primary School are intended for fifth and sixth graders, in particular. The living room is a low-threshold place where young people can come and do as they please. Children and young people are also invited to share their thoughts: past activities include cooking clubs, bingo, exercise classes and Nintendo-playing sessions. OmaStadi funding ended in spring 2024, after which the City has funded living room activities in Puotila in the form of school youth work. The City is currently looking for ways to continue operations in cooperation with local operators.
Other youth workers in the area have also visited the living room to talk about activities offered by other youth centres in the area. According to Sorsa, the living room in Puotila had 850 visits from schoolchildren in January. Sorsa says that the numbers show that the activities have found their users in Puotila.
Many proposals related to hobbies have been executed all over town. Several gyms, skate parks and disc golf tracks originate in OmaStadi. OmaStadi funding has also been used to renovate beaches, for example.
Text: Venla Seuri
