Three young people walking outside in a sunny autumn weather.

Do you want to support young people?

Photo: Joonas Brandt / Suomen Punainen Risti

We help young people and their loved ones at our Youth Shelters in five cities and meet young people in their everyday environments, such as schools and educational institutions, youth centres and shopping centres. We also offer help for young people and their loved ones throughout Finland online with remote connections at our Youth Shelters and in the Sekasin chat.

Youth Shelters help around the clock, every day of the year. We can offer a young person a safe place to spend the night, if necessary, and parents also receive support in matters concerning parenting.

It is great to be of help to a young person in a difficult situation simply by being there.

Youth Shelter volunteer

Welcome on board as a volunteer at a Youth Shelter!

Professionals and volunteers work together to help young people and their loved ones at the Red Cross Youth Shelters. Volunteers play a central role in the Youth Shelter activities alongside professionals.

As a volunteer, you have a unique opportunity of developing our operations together with professionals, young people and other volunteers.

Youth Shelters genuinely listen to the young people and often work together with the whole family. Youth Shelter professionals always offer their support to the volunteers.

Photo: Joonas Brandt

Who can become a volunteer?

Over 700 volunteers of different ages and backgrounds work at our Youth Shelters. Our Youth Shelter volunteers are interested in matters related to adolescence.

If you have a genuine desire to help young people and their loved ones by being present and doing ordinary everyday things, you are a suitable volunteer. The Youth Shelter will offer you training, support and guidance.

We hope to have people of all ages with different language and culture backgrounds volunteer for us. In some of our volunteer activities, you can volunteer without any knowledge of the Finnish language. Join our community of volunteers – Let’s make the world a better place together!

Photo: Joonas Brandt

How can I help young people?

Volunteers support young people at different stages of life. They listen, discuss, offer information and perspectives, but also do many practical things with young people, such as cook food and engage in hobbies. The volunteers are present at the Youth Shelters, but also where young people spend their time, e.g. online. You can become an online volunteer from anywhere in Finland or the world.

As an online volunteer, you can e.g.

help young people in the Sekasin chat (requires a good knowledge of the Finnish language)
participate in Digiraati (requires a good knowledge of the Finnish language)
be an online support mentor to a young person becoming independent
work in Youth Shelter communications and advocacy as a social media ambassador
be present as a safe adult in the Discord living room

As a volunteer, you can e.g.

be on call at our temporary accommodation with our professionals
be a support mentor, i.e. a safe adult, to a young person becoming independent
meet young people in their everyday environments, such as schools, youth centres and various events
lead group activities for young people

How can I become a volunteer at a Youth Shelter?

Joining us is easy. Contact your nearest Youth Shelter and say that you are interested in becoming a volunteer. Together, we can come up with a suitable role for you.

Every new volunteer receives an introductory training and a personal introduction to their role.

We are glad to have you on board helping and making a difference!

Contact us or pay us a visit!

Läkkisepänkuja 2 A 14, 02650 Espoo
+358 (0)9 8195 5360, +358 (0)50 3390619
turvatalo.espoo(at)redcross.fi
(temporary accommodation, discussion support, fixing sleep patterns and volunteer activities)

Director Isto Onali
+358 (0)40 770 4579
isto.onali(at)redcross.fi

Coordinator Erik Bruun
+358 (0)40 627 3431
erik.bruun(at)redcross.fi
(support in becoming independent, cooperation with schools and educational institutions, student internships)

The Youth Shelter is open around the clock on weekdays and from 5 pm to 10 am on weekends.

Temporary accommodation for young people is open every day from 5 pm to 10 am.

Espoo Youth Shelter is easily reached with A, E, S, U, L and Y train services that stop at Leppävaara and with Espoo’s internal buses.

https://www.instagram.com/nuortenturvis/

https://www.facebook.com/turvatalo

Uudenmaankatu 32 A, 00120 Helsinki
+358 (0)9 622 4322, Whatsapp: +358 40 173 4149
turvatalo.helsinki(at)redcross.fi

Director KIrsti Viinikka
+358 (0)40 570 9397
kirsti.viinikka(at)redcross.fi

Coordinator Tiia Suutarinen
+358 (0)40 660 6980.
tiia.suutarinen(at)redcross.fi
(volunteer activities, cooperation with schools and educational institutions, student internships)

The Youth Shelter is open around the clock on weekdays and from 5 pm to 10 am on weekends.

Temporary accommodation for young people is open every day from 5 pm to 10 am.

You can travel to Helsinki Youth Shelter with 20 and 30 buses and tram routes 1 and 3.

WhatsApp: +358 40 173 4149

https://www.instagram.com/nuortenturvis/

https://www.facebook.com/turvatalo

Hämeenkatu 22 C, 33200 Tampere
+358 (0)40 556 6661, Whatsapp: +358 40 556 6661
turvatalo.tampere(at)redcross.fi

Director Mari Uusi-Niemi
+358 (0)400 740 798
mari.uusi-niemi(at)redcross.fi

Coordinator Johanna Riiheläinen
+358 (0)40 726 1307
johanna.riihelainen(at)redcross.fi
(volunteer activities, cooperation with schools and educational institutions, student internships)

The Youth Shelter is open around the clock on weekdays and from 5 pm to 10 am on weekends.

Temporary accommodation for young people is open every day from 5 pm to 10 am.

WhatsApp: +358 40 556 6661

instagram.com/nuortenturvis_tampere

https://www.facebook.com/turvatalo

Yliopistonkatu 24 A 15, 20100 Turku
+358 (0)2 253 9667,Whatsapp: +358 40 660 8048
turvatalo.turku(at)redcross.fi

Director Marina Stubb
+358 (0)40 187 0664
marina.stubb(at)redcross.fi

Coordinator Susanne Etholen-Rättö
+358 (0)40 540 8430
susanne.etholen-ratto(at)redcross.fi
(volunteer activities, cooperation with schools and educational institutions, student internships)

The Youth Shelter is open every day around the clock.

Temporary accommodation for young people is open from 5 pm to 10 am.

We are also available by phone around the clock.

instagram.com/nuortenturvis_turku

https://www.facebook.com/turvatalo

Rekola Estate, Sairaalakatu 3, 01400 Vantaa
+358 (0)50 339 5413, Whatsapp: +358 50 339 5413
turvatalo.vantaa(at)redcross.fi

Director Pekka Väänänen
+358 (0)40 548 2750
pekka.vaananen(at)redcross.fi

Coordinator Sara Jessen
+358 (0)40 620 2138
sara.jessen(at)redcross.fi
(volunteer activities, cooperation with schools and educational institutions, student internships)

The Youth Shelter is open around the clock on weekdays and from 5 pm to 10 am on weekends.

Temporary accommodation for young people is open every day from 5 pm to 10 am.

Vantaa Youth Shelter is easily reached with K train service (Rekola) and Vantaa’s internal buses.

https://www.instagram.com/nuortenturvis/

https://www.facebook.com/turvatalo

Further information on Vantaa Youth Shelter also available on Rednet.

Kirsti Viinikka, Project Manager
kirsti.viinikka@redcross.fi
+358 (0)40 660 1108

Johanna, crisis and family worker (client work)
+358 (0)40 709 1735

Elina, crisis and family worker (client work)
+358 (0)40 182 4072

Heidi, crisis and family worker (client work)
+358 (0)40 595 1006