Free-of-charge leisure activities continue in Helsinki’s comprehensive schools
Free-of-charge after-school leisure activities will start on Monday, 4 September at all comprehensive schools in Helsinki. Pupils in grades 3–9 can now choose their favourite activity from among over 30 options. The Finnish Model for Leisure Activities is a permanent operating model and a central part of the city’s services for children and young people.
Free-of-charge activities based on the Finnish Model for Leisure Activities for pupils in grades 3–9 will start on 4 September 2023 and continue throughout the school year in all comprehensive schools in Helsinki. The leisure activity groups meet after the school day, but before 17.00, on the premises of the schools or in their vicinity.
The most popular leisure activities of children and young people are included in the selection for academic year 2023–2024. There are more than 30 different activities to choose from. Among the activities to keep schoolchildren entertained in the afternoons are parkour, basketball, futsal, dance, gym, climbing, cheerleading, swimming, circus, cinema, theatre, visual arts, languages, history, entrepreneurship, programming, game design, esports, cooking and activities with animals. In addition to the activities offered by their own school, pupils can also take part in activities organised at other schools.
“We have expanded our activities from school premises to swimming halls, libraries, youth centres, climbing centres and even farms, and we offer bus transport if needed,” says Irma Sippola, Project Manager of the Finnish Model for Leisure Activities in Helsinki.
The Finnish Model for Leisure Activities has become a permanent operating model in Helsinki. Low-threshold leisure activities are a central part of the city’s services for children and young people. Thanks to the Finnish Model for Leisure Activities, starting a new leisure activity is easy and possible for every pupil.
“We will continue our close cooperation with youth workers and school student welfare so that we can engage more children and young people in leisure activities,” says Tiina Hörkkö, Area Manager at the City of Helsinki Youth Services.
Leisure activities have become a natural extension to the school day and been shown to have a positive impact on school attendance.
“Doing enjoyable things together during leisure time and the opportunity to try new things support pupils’ enjoyment and learning at school,” says Kimmo Mustonen, Area Manager at the City of Helsinki Basic Education.
The national leisure activities week takes place on 28 August–3 September 2023. This year’s leisure activities week encourages young people to showcase their own leisure activities. Children and young people in Helsinki have the opportunity to try out different activities at their own school or in its vicinity by participating in the activities of the Finnish Model for Leisure Activities, which start immediately after the leisure activities week.
Read more about the Finnish Model for leisure activities here
Contact persons
Finnish Model for Leisure Activities in Helsinki
Irma Sippola, Project Manager, Finnish Model for Leisure Activities in Helsinki, City of Helsinki, Culture and Leisure Division, tel. 041 5121795, irma.sippola@hel.fi
Tiina Hörkkö, Area Manager, Youth Services, City of Helsinki, Culture and Leisure Division, tel. 050 3026404, tiina.horkko@hel.fi
Kimmo Mustonen, Area Manager, Basic Education, City of Helsinki, Education Division, tel. 040 6603044, kimmo.mustonen@hel.fi