The cheerful atmosphere was also evident in the event’s entertaining programme. The disco drew a large crowd of enthusiastic dancers onto the dance floor at both events. At Malmitalo, the records were spun by the 78-year-old DJ Börje, Finland’s oldest performing DJ.
The service event programme also included talks by keynote speakers – peers of the event visitors living a similar stage of their lives. At Vuotalo, the audience was greeted by the actress Eija Vilpas, and at Malmitalo by actress Heidi Herala. In their respective speeches, both spoke about ageing with warmth and acceptance and shared their own experiences with the audience.
The events also provided opportunities for cross-generational encounters. Through the school youth work programme, lively lower secondary school pupils from Puistopolku and Malmi comprehensive schools were recruited as event guides and cloakroom attendants, and the fitness tests were carried out by second-year students studying for a basic qualification in physical education at the Three-Campus Sports Institute.
Palvelutori makes services visible
The encounters at the Palvelutori service events played just as important a role as the programme itself. Many visitors spent several hours at the event; some even the whole day.
The feedback received particularly praised having a wealth of information and advice available in one place. These events helped illustrate just how wide a range of services is available to older residents in Helsinki. At the same time, they provided an opportunity to meet other locals and spend time together.
These successful events are built on an exceptionally extensive partner network, comprising a wide range of City organisations, as well as associations and local service providers. The Sports Services unit of the Culture and Leisure Division coordinates the events, working in close collaboration with the Cultural Services. Library and museum services also produce content for the events, and young people were recruited to help out at the events through school youth work. Additionally, the Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division is heavily involved in the events, presenting its services for older people, and the Community Centres and Adult Education Centre are similarly prominently featured.
The Palvelutori senior service event concept was created in Malmi in 2024 as part of a regional cooperation model designed to promote physical activity and mobility among older people. This model resulted in the Palvelutori senior service event concept which proved to be highly effective in reaching seniors: the very first fair, held at Malmitalo in December 2024, attracted over 2,000 visitors. The following year, the initiative was extended to Vuosaari, and it became an established part of the National Week of Older People held in October.
