Mobile youth work and social media (EN)
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Location
Finland
Organisation
City of Porvoo youth services
Target group
Young people living in Porvoo
Goals
To attract new youngsters to mobile youth services
Development
In the summer of 2018, Porvoo youth services began to implement a new operating model called mobile youth work. The city invested in a van named LIMO. The aim of mobile youth work was to take all the best pieces from the youth houses and bring them out to the villages and town. The van moves from spring to autumn. The first year of operation was positive in many ways, even though there were also quiet days. We learned a lot from our first year’s experience.
Activity
Youth workers move around Porvoo with a mobile youth work van to meet young people in different parts of the city and expand their activities outside the city center.
The van is equipped with a wide range of activities and young people can come for example to play games, listen to music, chat with a youth worker by a cup of coffee or a grilled sausage, or just to hang out, depending on what the young people want.
On Mondays and Wednesdays, the car moves in pre-arranged locations. On other business days, the young people get to wish where the youth work ivan should be parked. Wishes for parking spots can be presented to youth services through social media and instant messaging applications.
On competition days, LIMO is hidden somewhere in the city, and young people can find tips for the van’s whereabouts in social media services. The first young person with the right code or password will win. The tips have also often included sights and interesting facts about the city of Porvoo.
Resources
The van, a couple of youth workers, social media applications. We’ve been fortunate to get the service rolling with the van. However, it could be done by bicycle or on foot in the city. The basic idea is to come out of the office and meet the young people where they hang out.
Feedback
Feedback has been good. It has taken a long time for young people to understand that we are really there where we are needed and wished for. The van is still new in the city scene, but the youngsters are starting to take it on and call it already by its name.
Evaluation
The most important results for us are not just numbers and statistics. Knowledge and know-how about the events in the village and the mobility of young people has been most important and, with that knowledge, we can develop better activities. We also get information about what doesn’t work.
Benefits
This activity has brought in new young people and expanded our range of activities. Activities have also become available to more young people in the city.
Additional information
https://www.porvoo.fi/liikkuva-nuorisotyo
https://www.instagram.com/liikkuva_nuorisotyo_porvoo/