The youth centre is a place for young people
Youth centres are places where young people can spend their free time and meet other young people. Youth centres offer opportunities to play, do activities and implement their own ideas.
There are 11 youth centres in different parts of Turku. Visiting the centres is free of charge. The youth centres have different priorities in terms of opening hours and age limits.
You can choose the one you like best from the youth centres located in different parts of the city, or choose the one closest to your home. The centres are also open to young people from other municipalities. Each youth centre has trained youth counsellors.
Who can come to the youth centre?
Youth centres welcome young people from Turku and other municipalities.
The main target group is 13-18 year olds. Some of the youth centres also have activities for 9-12 year olds and services for those over 18.
Different youth centres have different age limits and targeted emphasis.
Welcome to the youth centre!
You can come to the youth center without registering.
To visit the youth centers, you need a free youth card. You can get the card at any youth center.
You can check the age limits and exact opening hours of each youth center at the bottom of this page under the youth center in question, or on the youth center's Instagram page.
Rules and safer space principles
The rules and safer space principles of youth centres aim to ensure that the facilities are safe and welcoming places for everyone.
Youth centres are public spaces where rules, practices and procedures based on common good practice and the law are followed. Compliance with these rules creates the conditions for a comfortable, safe and welcoming environment for all. In youth centres, it is up to each person to ensure that the rules are respected and to keep things tidy by putting rubbish in the bin and returning any items they have used.
Disruptive and inappropriate behaviour
Activities and behaviour must be appropriate and they must not offend anyone or discriminate against anyone. Swearing, racist comments, insulting names and bullying are strictly prohibited. All forms of violent behaviour and unnecessary use of force in youth centres are prohibited. Every young person has the right to physical and psychological integrity in youth centres.
Drugs, tobacco and other nicotine products
The use and possession of alcohol and other intoxicating substances in and around youth centres is prohibited. Smoking and the use and display of other nicotine products (snuff, energy snuff, electronic cigarettes, etc.) are prohibited in youth centres, in the grounds of youth centres and in the immediate vicinity of youth centres.
Energy drinks
Energy drinks are prohibited when younger children are present. In the company of older children, energy drinks are not recommended for children under 15 years of age.
Vandalism
All forms of vandalism and bad treatment of property are prohibited.
Measures in case of misconduct
Banning entry
A ban may be imposed on a young person if he or she persistently engages in disruptive behaviour (e.g. vandalism, violence) which cannot be dealt with by youth workers. The length of the ban is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Child protection notification
A child protection notification is made at a low threshold whenever there is a concern about the welfare of a young person. The child protection notification is always made first to the social welfare office in the child's municipality of residence. In urgent situations and outside office hours, a report can be made to the social emergency service. The social emergency service can be contacted 24 hours a day by calling (02) 262 6003.
Damage to property / intentional vandalism
If a young person intentionally damages the property of the youth services / the property of another person, the young person is always liable for compensation. In such cases, the parents will always be contacted to agree on compensation for the damage. The manager will then send an invoice to the finance team, who will send an invoice for the damage. If the invoice is not paid, the city's legal department will take the matter forward if necessary.
In the event of violence or when the young person is intoxicated
The use and possession of all intoxicating substances and tobacco products is prohibited in youth centres and their areas. In all situations involving either intoxicants or violence, parents are informed and if necessary, the authorities (police/social services) as well.
The safer space principles aim to ensure that everyone can be themselves in youth centres and that no one is bullied, discriminated against or harassed. The principles are applied in all of the youth services' activities.
Find out more about the principles on their own page.