Free-of-charge leisure activities become a permanent operating model at comprehensive schools

Coordinated by the City of Helsinki Youth Services, the Finnish model for leisure activities has become a permanent operating model in Helsinki. The addition of the Finnish model for leisure activities into the Youth Act that came into force on 1 January 2023 ensures the continuation of free-of-charge leisure activities at schools.

“Now that the Finnish model for leisure activities is part of the Youth Act, the continuation of the model and related long-term development is secured,” the Area Manager at the Helsinki Youth Service, Tiina Hörkkö rejoices.

The range of leisure activities at Helsinki comprehensive schools is based on students’ wishes. A national school survey and the city’s own school-specific surveys were used to find out what hobbies children and young people wish for. There are over 30 hobbies to choose from and the students can pick whatever they like. Feedback from pupils participating in the Finnish model for leisure activities in Helsinki has been very positive.

“I have wanted to climb for a long time and I like this hobby,” says a 7-year-old student from Kalasatama comprehensive school. “This hobby is so epic that Cledos drops his shades!” a 10-year-old student describes a visual arts hobby of The Finnish model for leisure activities, participating once a week at Montessori school. These delightful comments are from a feedback survey from autumn 2022.

The goal of the Finnish model for leisure activities is to promote equality and wellbeing. The model is especially aimed at children and young people who do not have hobbies.

“We will intensify cooperation with outreach activities youth workers and student welfare services this year. Our goal is to find more children and young people with no hobbies and get them a hobby,” says the Project Manager of the City of Helsinki Youth Services, Irma Sippola.

Children and young people are more likely to get into a hobby if the activities are organised at the school premises or in their vicinity. This is especially important for children and young people whose parents are unable to support them in their hobby pursuits. 

“Organising leisure activities at schools has become natural,” says the Area Manager at the City of Helsinki Basic Education, Kimmo Mustonen. “The positive impact of hobbies is reflected in schoolwork and learning so the Finnish model for leisure activities becoming a permanent operating model is very important for the comprehensive wellbeing of children and young people,” Mustonen adds.

There are also over 60 youth centres and other places in Helsinki that organise leisure and other activities for young people free-of-charge. Explore the wide range of leisure activities organised by the City of Helsinki Youth Services at the nuorten.hel.fi website.

The Finnish model for leisure activities is a project by the Ministry of Education and Culture (Minedu) to improve the well-being of children and young people. Helsinki is committed to building a permanent operating model for free-of-charge hobbies after the school day to bring continuity to the low-threshold leisure activities. All comprehensive schools in Helsinki offer leisure activities to pupils in grades 3–9 at the school premises or in their vicinity between the end of the school day and 17:00. Leisure activities are also offered at state, agreement and private schools in Helsinki. The range of activities and number of activity groups is constantly growing.