Youth work support also available through May Day celebrations
A youth help operation is organised in Helsinki in the evening and during the night on May Day Eve. Youth workers and volunteers meet young people outdoors and offer them help in the form of discussions and first aid, among other things. The Youth Services and their cooperation partners encourage parents to talk to their young people about where, how and with whom they will be celebrating May Day. Parents are also encouraged to pick up their phone if an unknown number calls them on May Day Eve.
On May Day Eve, 30 April, youth workers will patrol the Helsinki city centre, especially Kaivopuisto, as well as other places popular among young people, such as schoolyards and beaches. The workers and volunteers will begin their work at 5 p.m, and continue as necessary for as long as there are young people about.
The police and emergency medical service are there to help the young people, and will call the parents from an unknown number if necessary, so picking up the phone is important.
The 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. Approximately 150 professionals and volunteers will participate in the operation.
Unit heads Kaisa Kivelä and Rufus Wahen from Helsinki Youth Services, who are in charge of the operation, say that the extensive cooperation network provides a good overall view of what is going on, where young people gather and where the professionals can help them.
“What we especially ask of parents is that you talk to your young people beforehand about what they are going to do that night and who they are going to spend time with. There are many things that are part of being young, and it is important to tell the young person that they can always call and ask for help. Even if this is obvious to the guardian, it is worth mentioning it to the young person explicitly,” Kivelä says.
“We wish happy May Day celebrations to all young people. Take good care of yourselves and your friends!” Wahen says.