Give Childhood a Chance and Keep Youth Drug Free!

In Novemeber 2017 there was a unique opportunity for international exchange between young service users who have experienced some level of social exclusion. Youth were selected from Finland and Germany to take part on international visit. Three memorable days with 12 young people from Finnish Blue Ribbon MO’s and another NGO came together whilst visiting Ansbach Blue Cross in Germany. It is often the managers or staff who make international visits but this time the idea was to enable young people to learn from each other.

We all see society and its services based on our experiences and this exhange gives innovative ideas to find solutions to youth services with the eyes of the youth instead af professional’s perspectives only. 

Who are we? Organisations who work with young people in danger of social exclusion.
Who are the young people involved?  12 Finnish young people 18-29 years old who have all had to use unemployment, social etc. services due to their situation.And similar group of youth from Germany.
What is the criteria for the youth to take part? Not to use substances, no acute health or serious mental health conditions, over 18 years old and under 29. Must have used social care services.
What was and will be done?  The Finnish youth are from 4 different towns and they met young people in Ansbach, Germany in November 2017. They will meet a second time when the German youth will also visit Finland in order to discuss and compare their experiences as service users. Young people prepared a time line that describes all services provided by society up to now in their life. Other communication happens via skype meetings and e-mails. The first visit included 1st day travelling and a meeting with German youth over group session and joint dinner in the evening. The group met on the second day and learned about youth justice services and Blue Cross services. Finally the third day was a travel day home and it included a visit to a Munich Christmas market.

This was a life changing experience in many levels. The intercation with people from a different society, flying, train travels and experience in a new country was a completely new thing for many. In addition using english for communication, hearing how the different society works with youth services and seeing the setting where the youth receive their services was truly eye opening experience.  We look forward to the second part of the exhange in February 2018 in order to report to you also some of the findings and observations that the youth made.

Your support is vital for making this kind of work possible where people are at the centre of our attention and we can use innovative solutions and perspectives to stop the cycle of social exclusion and addiction. Finnish Society estimates that saving one young person from life long social exclusion saves the society 1,2 Million Euros per person. This is a job worth doing and in order to be able to stay in the front line with best methods to reach the youth we need your support. Thank you for making a real difference. This is best gift you can give.

Wishing you a Joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year!