Internship with youth services - Blog texts

Get to know youth work through the eyes of a young worker! 

FALL 2019

Sociology student Henna's thoughts on youth work

Looking for youth services?

The first thing that came to mind about youth work was hanging out with friends, playing pool, watching Salkkare and drinking coffee. These memories are from my own youth, the beginning of the 2000s. Youth work has not completely changed since then; we still hang out and play, but now our perspective and activities in general have expanded. I was really surprised by the extent of today's youth work during my internship.

I have heard how some adults consider "today's" young people to be misbehaving, misbehaving, reckless and even scary. They are "problem youth". Why so?

It is not possible to think that there are no problems with young people, but equally we all have problems. Even adults don't always know how to behave and be exemplary or how to organize their affairs and their lives in a way that works. The problems are affected by several different background factors and possibly coincidences. This applies to each and every one of us. However, in my opinion, one should not dwell on problems, but think about how to overcome the problem and get over it. And does it always matter what the problem is? Psychiatrist, non-fiction writer Ben Furman once said that "It's because of what it is", which I think is brilliantly realized. Isn't it more important to see the future and pursue your own dreams than to worry about the past or wallow in your own problems?

In addition, according to my observations, young people need adults. The task of adults is to raise, to act as role models, to support them through difficulties and to travel together on the same journey towards safe adulthood. This is not exactly an easy task; not for parents, nor for those professionals who work with young people. First of all, in today's hyperactive world, where the constant rush seems to be more the rule than the exception, getting in touch with young people can be challenging, either for reasons caused by the young person or the adult themselves. Adults should be present for young people. GENUINELY present. It means e.g. genuine listening, showing interest, reciprocity, empathy skills, understanding today's young people and the way the world is going, accepting differences and encouraging the young person towards his dreams.

My point of view is that the majority of young people who have been able to be and live surrounded by safe adults, in successful contact and good cooperation, are balanced, independent and progressing wonderfully. Sounds absolutely brilliant, doesn't it? That is why we have to work with young people. That is why it is necessary to create a working contact with them. That's why youth work is important. That's why adults, both parents and professionals, have to work together to get a good result. Let's take responsibility together for these wonderful, smart and successful young people, future adults! We are present and available. Let's work with young people. Together.

Adults! Familiarize yourself with youth work and its job description, it's definitely not just a party and coffee soup. Also note that young people today are different than they were decades ago. The world is completely different from then. Accept this change and adapt to live with it. Maybe that's when you get in the best contact with the young person?

Henna Muhonen,

Sociology student / Saimia

10.10.2019

SUMMER 2019

Summer employee Emman, 18, thoughts on youth work

1. Working with youth work 

Summer employee Emma is writing here, hello! I have been working at Hengaamo for two weeks now, and have already gained a lot of experience in different situations and issues. And what's most important, I myself now have a better understanding of how youth work works.

Many people, both young people and adults, have different prejudices about youth work. I've heard about them from my friends, as well as from different adults I know. Some find youth work good and comfortable, but some have their prejudices. Many young people may not even know about these youth facilities, which Imatra can also find. And I often hear that young people don't dare to go to a youth farm because they're afraid they'll be alone if they can't get a friend to go with them. Of course, this is not the case.

And also a few times I've heard about how some parents don't want their children to go to a youth center. This is due to the fact that young people are often associated with all kinds of debauchery, in which case some parents may think that only the so-called "bad crowd" gathers at youth facilities. Of course, this is not true either.

And many adults wonder what is even done in youth facilities, how do they operate there?

All young people between the ages of 5 and 29 can visit Hengaamo. In autumn, Hengaamo has its own days/evenings for different ages, but in summer the place is open every day for all ages. A few times a week, the Cabin is open, then young people can get free advice and help from professionals in different fields.

At the youth farm, young people can chat among instructors and/or friends, read, play board games and video games, draw and do crafts alone or in a group, cook and bake, play and sing alone or in a group, and can play billiards and ping-pong. So you can find all kinds of things to do.

Youth work also offers things to do outside: there are evenings in the shed, possibly different trips a few times a year, and evenings in the park when you can come and play different outdoor games such as tennis and football.

I've really liked this job so far, it's nice to play with young people and other directors and just talk. Hengaamo is a good place for young people, and here you can pass the time and any feeling of loneliness can disappear very quickly. If you haven't been to Hengaamo yet, I highly recommend getting to know the place!

- Emma, ​​14.6.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX

2. What the hell cockpit?

Before I came to Hengaamo for summer work, I didn't know much about Ohjaamo. All I knew about Cockpit was this name Cockpit and where it is. I hadn't received any more information from anyone, and I wasn't familiar with the matter myself. So I only knew that there was something called Ohjaamo for young people.

Of course, I was immediately introduced to Ohjaamo after my work started. I got the answer to my question: What is a cockpit?

In other words, Ohjaamo is a place where young people can get help from professionals in different fields with matters related to working life, studies or everyday life. Today, approx. 70 Control Centers operate in Finland, and the Control Center also serves by phone, text message, e-mail and Whatsapp. The cockpit also operates on social media, so you can follow the cockpit's opening hours and the operations of the cockpit in general.

When you come to the Cockpit, you don't need to know which industry professional you need to talk to. The Cockpit Advisors will help you with that. In the cockpit, you can come and meet an expert from the TE office, a vocational guidance counselor, a social counselor, an integration services expert, a mental health and substance abuse worker, and you can also be in contact with Kela.

In the cockpit you can also meet the youth worker who is looking for you. A detective youth worker offers counseling and guidance to young people. They provide information about various youth services and also help when dealing with the services.

You can come to the cockpit with or without an appointment, and the service is completely free. So you can just walk in, explain your problem, talk to a professional and possibly get a solution to your problem, all for free. In my opinion, it's a really great thing.

Some young people may be afraid that in such places or situations they may be subjected to a horrible interrogation, where they should explain all their backgrounds and their entire life history, but that's not how it goes. It is enough to explain your puzzle, and the necessary background, which is specifically related only to this puzzle.

And many young people may be afraid or intimidated by the fact that they have to visit Kela's office on site or other so-called official offices. For example, I hate it quite a lot. So I think Ohjaamo is a really good option, especially for these young people. The cockpit has a relaxed and good atmosphere, while waiting for your turn you can play with the youth workers or just have a nice chat. All employees are helpful and friendly, and listen to young people. It is much easier to visit the cockpit for exactly these reasons.

So I recommend Ohjaamo to everyone who might need help with the problems they face. There you can get help with both small and big problems. You can get more help from the cockpit than you thought or hoped for, and even if the puzzle can't be completely solved, things can always be moved forward, and things are slowly taken care of. However, things always have to turn for the better.

- Emma, ​​20.6.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX