Oulu Youth Services is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. As part of the celebration, we are highlighting youth work and themes that shape young people’s everyday lives. The theme for March is equality and safe spaces. This article looks at how these themes are put into practice at Youth Information and Guidance Service of Byström One-Stop Guidance Centre. We interviewed Tuula Enbuska, who has worked in the service for ten years as a youth information worker.
Equality is a basic element of the youth information and counselling service
Equality is a fundamental right written into the Finnish Constitution. From the perspective of youth services equality means treating every young person as an equal individual, acknowledging their unique needs and backgrounds, and making sure they feel welcome exactly as they are.
Equality is also part of the principles of European youth information charter. According to these principles, all young people must have equal access to youth information and counselling services. But how is this applied in practice at Byström?
”We offer many different ways for young people to contact us, so everyone can choose what suits them best. Young people can get information and guidance online via Nuortenoulu.fi and Discord, by visiting Byström Guidance Centre during walk‑in hours or with an appointment, by phone or email, or by meeting us in places where young people already are — such as schools, workshops, and Youth Centres.
We also meet young people in cafés, outdoors, or online via Teams. They can talk to us anonymously about anything, and all our services and activities are completely free.”
— Tuula Enbuska, youth information worker
Youth information worker Tuula Enbuska
Equal services support young people’s well‑being
Equality in youth information services ensures that young people feel comfortable asking questions and seeking advice. Having access to reliable information – and someone to talk to – can play a key role when making important life decisions.
A fair and respectful environment helps young people feel safe to explore solutions for their own situation. Feeling heard, respected, and accepted strengthens well‑being. Equality can also enhance a young person’s sense of belonging, which is an essential part of social and emotional health.
Equality as the cornerstone of safer spaces
Byström One-Stop Guidance Centre is currently developing new safer‑space guidelines for its common areas. Safer‑space principles are already being used in group activities. A well‑functioning practice has been to create the rules together with the participants. This way, everyone contributes to shaping a respectful and comfortable environment for the whole group.
But how else is safety ensured at Byström One-Stop Guidance Centre?
“We have common rules that the entire staff has agreed on together. For example, we speak to each other respectfully, we don’t shout, and we don’t use offensive language. If these rules are broken, we may need to interrupt the visit for the day. Threatening behavior ends visits entirely.
We also expect everyone — both young people and staff — to arrive on time for meetings and to respect each other’s space and peace to work.”
— Tuula Enbuska, youth information worker
What if equality is not achieved?
Shared guidelines are important, but they do not always guarantee that every situation feels fair or safe. It is crucial that young people know what to do if they experience unequal treatment or discomfort.
So how should a young person act if they feel unsafe or treated unfairly at Byström?
”If the feeling comes from our facilities, the way the service is organised, or the behavior of another client, they should tell any staff member immediately. It is our responsibility to fix the situation.
If the issue is caused by a staff’s words or actions, and giving feedback in the moment feels difficult, you can send us an email at bystrom@ouka.fi or leave anonymous feedback via the form on Nuortenoulu.fi/bystrom. All feedback is reviewed by our coordinator and supervisors.”
— Tuula Enbuska, youth information worker
Developing equal leisure opportunities
Oulu Youth Services is currently looking for organisations and youth groups to co‑develop and offer inclusive leisure activities for young people in vulnerable situations. A total of 10 500 € has been reserved for this purpose in this year. The application period runs from 2 March to 30 March 2026. More information (in Finnish) can be found on the page Equality at Nuortenoulu.fi.
The article is part of the Youth Services’ 80th anniversary content.
