Youth aid operation on May Day Eve in Helsinki

A youth aid operation will be organised in Helsinki city centre and districts on the evening and night of May Day Eve. The purpose of the operation is to interact with and assist young people under the age of 18. The aid operation involves a total of about 95 professionals and volunteers.

A youth aid operation will be organised in Helsinki city centre and districts on the evening and night of May Day Eve. The purpose of the operation is to interact with and assist young people under the age of 18 by speaking with them and, if necessary, providing first aid in the streets and referring them to hospital care.

“On May Day Eve, approximately 45 youth workers will be deployed in the entire Helsinki region. These youth workers will provide us with a comprehensive overview of what is happening, where large numbers of young people are gathering and where volunteers could help,” says Jaakko Rautavaara, Manager at the City of Helsinki’s Youth Services.

The ‘foot patrols’ will move around Helsinki city centre, Kaivopuisto Park and Vuosaari as well as other popular places for young people, such as the beaches of Munkkiniemi, Rastila, Hietsu and Pikkukoski. The operation will start at 18.00 and continue as long as needed while young people are on the move.

The operation is being organised by Helsinki’s Youth Services in cooperation with the Helsinki and Uusimaa branches of the Finnish Red Cross, the Church’s Saapas operations, Children of the Station, the cities of Vantaa and Espoo, the police and prehospital emergency care. The aid operation involves a total of about 95 professionals and volunteers.

“We wish all young people enjoyable May Day celebrations – take care of yourself and your friends! We hope that parents are aware of where their young people are,” Rautavaara says.

The Helsinki Police Department is of the same mind. “We wish everyone enjoyable and safe May Day celebrations! We hope parents know where their children are. Please keep in mind that if you get a call from an unknown number, it may be the police. The police will be there to ensure that everyone has a safe celebration,” says Chief Inspector Jari Friman from the Helsinki Police Department.

The first operations to assist young people in Helsinki were organised at the turn of the 1980s. Operations have been organised on May Day and New Year’s Eve, and since the 1990s also at the end of the school year. This year, they will be organised on May Day Eve and at the end of the school year on 3 June.

Further information:

Jaakko Rautavaara, Unit Manager, Southern Youth Work

jaakko.rautavaara@hel.fi

tel. 040 578 3041

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