Wojciech Kaluzny

If we are to prevent young people from falling through the cracks, if we are to prevent growing substance abuse problems and, not least, if we are to ensure that young people are happy, safe and productive, we must do everything we can to facilitate this," says Kjell Sternhoff.

Olaussen Metall CEO Kjell Sternhoff is a committed politician who sits on the city council for Haugesund Conservatives. He believes that meeting places such as Fellesverket are worth their weight in gold for today's young people, and that such meeting places must be invested in and prioritized. Kjell Sternhoff is impressed by the young volunteers in Fellesverket. Here he sits with 15-year-olds Herman, Martine and Alec. Volunteer coordinator Monica Utne and party colleague Nils Konrad Bua (H) are also present.

- Absolutely. Unfortunately, far too many drop out, and drugs are becoming increasingly accepted. Young people need regular meeting places and a safe environment with adults who care. It must be a place where everyone is welcome and feels at home. Fellesverket is such a place, which is why it's one of the most important things we have," says Kjell when he visits Fellesverket's premises in central Haugesund.

Engaged youth

Fellesverket is a national initiative offering free activities for everyone between the ages of 13 and 25. Fellesverket in Haugesund opened its doors in August 2021, and has become a popular offer among young people in the region.

- "We get visitors from several different places, some of them take a bus a long way to get here," says youth volunteer Alec Hansen (15).

The Red Cross is behind the Fellesverket program. They see an unmet need for meeting places where young people can first and foremost be young people. The aim is for them to experience a community where they can feel at home, meet and hang out, learn and master.

- That's what we do here. It's social and you make new friends," says Herman Lervik (15), who is also a volunteer.

- We get feedback that it's nice to gather here, that the food we serve is good, and that the activities we organize are appreciated," adds volunteer Martine Aas (15).

- The number of visitors has increased dramatically here, there are far more people who come to eat and do other things," says volunteer coordinator at Fellesverket, Monica Utne, and emphasizes that they are looking for new partners.

Popular offers

There's something going on at Fellesverket in Haugesund all week. On Mondays and Tuesdays they have an open meeting place and free dinner, on Wednesdays they serve a free snack and breakfast, and on Thursdays you get the same - in addition to dinner, homework help, help with CV or application writing, and Norwegian language training. On Fridays, lunch and breakfast are served again.

When there's an open meeting place, young people can enjoy table tennis, PlayStation, billiards and games. From time to time, tournaments or competitions are also arranged.

The snack and breakfast offer has grown from two to three times a week, thanks to support from the municipality. If you look at attendance, you can see that there is a need for it.

In addition to the regular activities throughout the week, Fellesverket offers job training.

- They can help out in the office, or in the kitchen, packing lunches or serving dinner. It all helps to give them experience and build confidence. The experience also looks good on their CV," says Utne.

Street mediation is another important service offered by Fellesverket - in collaboration with project manager Ann Kristin Rørtveit. Here, young people learn to handle conflicts in a good and non-violent way, to communicate and work together. Work is done on body language and communication. Those who participate in the street mediation course receive a certificate afterwards.

Fear of the development

It is a fact that inequality in Norway is increasing. An increasing number of children and young people are growing up in low-income families. The school dropout rate is rising and many young people are completely or partially without a job or school. This is precisely why a free, low-threshold service is so important," says the Red Cross. Kjell Sternhoff agrees.

- All children and young people should have opportunities. They should have access to meeting places and activities. They need to feel safe and empowered. This needs to be even higher on the political agenda and everyone who has the opportunity should support Fellesverket. Just look at all the fantastic and important things they do," he says.

Sternhoff sees the situation among young people, where drugs are becoming increasingly accepted and normalized, as scary and challenging.

- Attitudes among the very youngest have evolved greatly in recent years.

They start very young, and it has suddenly become normal to be offered drugs in public places - the toilet queues are longer than the queue for the bar at the nightclubs where the youngest go. We need to do something about this - and we need to act now. I promise to do everything I can to put this on the political agenda," he says.