Kartturi steps in when a young person is at risk of falling through the cracks of support services

Kartturi provides these young people with support in managing their daily lives and personal development, as well as in connecting with work and education.

A typical participant at the workshop is a 20-year-old young man attending vocational education and training, whose studies have been interrupted for some reason.

– We teach life management and coping skills, not academic subjects; things like identifying your own strengths and finding motivation, and how to deal with different authorities. We also accompany the young people to appointments with various authorities, such as healthcare services or the employment office, says Maarit Tuttavainen-Tarsa, Individual Coach.

Participation in Kartturi activities is voluntary, free of charge, and confidential.

Schoolwork, coffee and chats

Kartturi is located on Vamia’s Hansa campus. Kartturi has a dedicated space for using the computer if needed, as well as a quieter room for one-to-one discussions or similar activities. In the larger common area, young people can hang out, chat, and have coffee together with other participants and individual coaches.

– When young people come here they can spend some time doing schoolwork independently on the computer and then join others to play cards or take part in other activities, and talk about life and other things. After a little break they can return to their schoolwork. They don’t have to start at 8 and study for a full hour. The most important thing is that the young person shows up and that they make progress step by step, Tuttavainen-Tarsa explains.

Everyday skills are also practised in real-life situations, such as arriving on time and notifying others if you’re going to be late.

A summer job is an important addition to the CV

Kartturi works closely with schools, educational institutions, and various authorities. Around 70–80 young people come to Kartturi each year.

– Some young people only come to us for a short period, while others may attend for several years. Typically, a young person participates for one academic year, says Jere Salomäki, Individual Coach.

Kartturi also offers a summer job each year to eight young people who have previously taken part in the workshop’s activities.

– Some have no prior work experience at all, so this provides an important first entry for their CV, Salomäki explains.

Comments from the young clients: What have you gained from the workshop?

• Help with almost everything.
• I find it easier to wake up in the morning now. I’ve made new friends.
• Kartturi has helped me realise that even if things don’t go according to plan, there’s no need to give up.
• I’ve learnt to manage my affairs better. The counsellors are really nice.