For young people, the end of school is an eagerly awaited start to the summer and an important time of celebration. The City of Helsinki wants to ensure that young people have safe adults nearby during the celebratory evening.
One hundred youth work professionals and volunteers will ensure that young people can celebrate safely. The assistance provided to young people includes chatting, first aid and referrals to hospital if necessary. The outreach operation is organised by the City of Helsinki Youth Services. Partners include the Helsinki and Uusimaa District of the Red Cross, the Saapas operations of the church’s youth work centre, Children of the Station, the police, and the emergency medical service, among others.
Meeting young people in different parts of Helsinki
During the evening, youth workers will be on the move at popular meeting places for young people around Helsinki. The workers will move to where they are needed, depending on the situation. The youth workers can be approached with a low threshold in all situations.
“The school closing evening belongs to young people, and we want to be part of making the celebration safe. The youth workers are there for the young people: to chat, help and take care of them together with other adults," says Head of Unit Jaakko Rautavaara at Helsinki Youth Services, who is in charge of the operation.
Young people are encouraged to spend the evening in familiar surroundings and look after their friends.
“Young people should celebrate with their own group and make sure that no one is left alone. If something happens or you feel insecure, you can always ask the adults there for help," Rautavaara says.
Parents play an important role on school closing evening
The presence and availability of parents is important during the evening. It is a good idea to discuss the evening's plans openly with young people. It is essential for parents to know where and with whom their child will spend their evening. Parents also have a role to play in setting limits to how young people party.
“We would like to remind you of the same thing we did on May Day: edged weapons and fireworks are not part of young people's party equipment. When it comes to minors, there must also be a zero-tolerance policy towards intoxicants. We hope that parents will be vigilant and aware of where their children spend their time and what they carry with them," says Chief Inspector Hanna Kiiskinen of the Helsinki Police Department.
"The police will have a visible presence in places that are popular among young people to ensure that the school closing evening is safe. The police are also prepared to clear parks of young people after dark if there are large numbers of intoxicated people and the number of disturbances increases."
Activities in youth centres on the last day of school and throughout the summer
Many youth centres organise activities on the last day of school. There is a free event to celebrate the last day of school at Tiivistämö in Suvilahti for all-ages. The party is alcohol-free and will start at 18.00. The Good Boys and Valentin will be performing.
Last day of school celebrations will also be held at the Hertsi, Malmi, Myllypuro and Pasila youth centres. More information is available at nuorten.hel.fi.(Link leads to external service)
Summer in Helsinki is full of fun things to do for young people. Activities include camps, excursions and workshops. Youth centres will host lots of free activities and hang-outs, such as skateboarding, football and street art. The summer programme is available at nuorten.hel.fi/summer.(Link leads to external service)
The wonderful summer cafés run by young people will be open again this summer. These cafés are designed by young people and also offer summer job opportunities for many of them. For more information on the summer cafés run by young people, see nuorten.hel.fi/kesakahvilat(Link leads to external service) (content in Finnish).
Helsinki Youth Services, the police and prehospital care would like to congratulate the graduates and wish young people a safe school closing evening and a relaxing summer holiday.