Kuopio Youth Services work to support young people’s wellbeing and growth in different areas of life. Young people decide what kind of activities are organised by Youth Services, and they are also involved in organising activities for other young people. Around 30 youth workers, 8 outreach youth workers and 4 special youth workers are employed by the City of Kuopio Youth Services. Youth workers know their area and the young people and adults who live there. You are welcome to approach them with any questions or concerns.
There are a total of 11 youth centres in Kuopio, staffed by youth workers from Kuopio Youth Services. In addition, there is a youth centre in Julkula, whose activities are run by the North Savo regional office of the Youth Association of Finland.
Several of Kuopio’s youth centres have a sports hall or access to one. All youth centres also have various leisure and hobby equipment available. If you are particularly interested in a specific hobby, please tell a youth worker about it! New equipment can be acquired when needed, and new activities can be tried out, for example together with the group at the youth centre.
Youth centres also offer board games and console games to play together. Many youth centres provide opportunities to prepare food together or to cook your own snacks.
Kuopio Youth Services maintain the Kuopio Skate Hall in Kelloniemi, Pelitalo Muikku in Petonen, and the Kuopio Rock Academy, which is based at Kulttuuriareena 44. Kuopio Youth Services also have band rehearsal rooms and instruments available at various youth centres. On this page, you will find information about the activities offered by Kuopio Youth Services.
Pelitalo Muikku is a youth centre specialising in digital gaming. It is located on Pyörönkaari, on the upper floor of Pinari at Petosen Vapaa-aikatilat. Pelitalo has eight high-performance computers. It offers, among others, Fortnite, Overwatch, Minecraft and Rocket League game accounts, which are available for young people visiting Pelitalo. You can also play your own games on the computers. Muikku also has Oculus Quest 2 VR headsets available for young people, allowing you to try what virtual reality gaming feels like!
Come visit and enjoy a relaxed and comfortable gaming evening on a top-performance gaming PC!
The Kuopio Skate Hall is located in Kelloniemi and is jointly run by Kuopio Youth Services and the Kuopio skateboarders’ association. The hall is staffed by a long-serving professional youth worker, Marko “Hakki” Harmaala, who guides participants with a positive and encouraging approach.
During opening hours, skating is possible either with a season pass (€45) or a single-entry fee (€4). The season pass is valid from October to April and can be purchased at the Skate Hall using the MobilePay app.
Kulttuuriareena 44 is located in the centre of Kuopio. On site, you will be welcomed by three youth workers with extensive experience in organising events. The staff can help you organise your own event if needed and also provide facilities for youth events. International activities are an important part of Kulttuuriareena’s work through various projects, and the staff are happy to help you with any questions you may have.
At Kuopio’s three largest lower secondary schools – Hatsala Classical School, Minna Canth School and Ylä-Pyörö School – you can meet a school youth worker every school day. At Jynkänlahti School, a school youth worker is available from Wednesday to Friday.
In addition, youth workers are employed at Savon ammattiopisto SAKKY, working with upper secondary students. The aim of youth workers is to offer young people a safe, present and approachable adult who has the time to meet, listen and encourage.
Youth workers work closely with teachers, pupil and student welfare services, and other professionals working with young people. At schools, youth workers promote school wellbeing and a sense of community and help prevent bullying. You can always come and talk to a youth worker about things that are on your mind and think together about what could be done about them.
Kuopio Youth Services employ youth workers who work preventively with young people and youth groups. Some of the staff support young people in accessing public services and finding their own direction, while others work with individuals and groups.
Kuopio’s outreach youth work supports young people aged 16–29 who are outside education or working life, or who need support in different life situations. Outreach youth workers walk alongside young people, help with everyday matters and, when needed, guide them to appropriate services. The aim is to strengthen young people’s participation, wellbeing and opportunities to find their own path to education, employment or other meaningful leisure activities. Outreach youth workers meet young people individually or in group activities, according to their needs and wishes. The service is voluntary, free of charge and confidential.
Kuopio’s special youth work supports young people aged 10–29 who need more guidance and support in their daily lives than usual. The work is voluntary and based on trust and respect. Youth workers meet young people individually or in small groups and provide support for life management, wellbeing and social relationships. Community, activity-based approaches and peer support are important working methods. The aim is to strengthen young people’s own resources, participation and ability to build a safe and meaningful future. The service is voluntary and free of charge for young people.
Anchor activities are preventive work with young people and their families, focusing on intervening in young people’s criminal behaviour. The main task of Anchor is to work with young people under the age of 18 who show signs of criminal behaviour or substance use. The Anchor team also addresses hate crimes.
Kuopio Youth Services cooperate with the Kuopio Anchor team of the Eastern Finland Police Department.
Ohjaamo is a service for young people under the age of 30, where you can receive personal guidance, support and advice. At Ohjaamo, you will find professionals from several different fields under one roof.
At Ohjaamo, you can talk about matters that concern you with a trusted adult. The service is free of charge, and if you wish, you can use it without giving your name. You can visit us in person without an appointment, call us or contact us on social media.
We can help you with: