Culture, crafts and togetherness – people aged 65–75 are active residents

People aged 65–75 are often in good health, and retirement has freed up time for relationships and meaningful activities. However, experiences of loneliness are increasing even in this age group. The City of Tampere supports well-being in particular by expanding cultural and physical activity services, as well as opportunities and places for people to meet.

Kati Suonpää-Rantanen, instructor at the craft workshop in the Monitoimitalo Culture Centre, says that people are gradually discovering the workshop, which opened in January.

– Some people come here to make a card for a friend, others to mend an old pair of trousers. People bring their own ideas and skills with them. You can also come here just to look around – you don’t need to know how to do anything in advance.

Kirsti Välimäki got involved in a range of activities several years ago, immediately after retiring. In her view, the places organised by the city are extremely important for people.

– It’s easy to come here on your own, and you meet new people, she says.

– This keeps you active and alert. I can warmly recommend it, Korpisalo says.

According to Suonpää-Rantanen, working with one’s hands plays a significant role in maintaining functional ability and well-being. The instructor adds that age is not asked at the door, even though the activities are aimed at older people.

Volunteering gives a great deal and allows you to share joy with others

People aged 65–75 can take part in a wide range of city-run activities, including exercise groups, brain training sessions and craft workshops, as well as karaoke, digital guidance and cultural or physical activity facilitation.

Riitta Vesanto, Tiina Sangi, Marjo Mäkelä and Jarmo Mankki have been volunteering for many years as cultural companions for the City of Tampere. With them, people can visit the city’s museums together or, for example, go for walks along guided cultural trails.

Mankki joined the volunteer programme because he wanted to get involved in voluntary work after finishing his working life.

– I’m involved in many activities, and what’s especially great about this role is that I’ve been able to really take the time to familiarise myself with different topics, such as history for the cultural trails.

The culture companion activities also keep Vesanto energised.

– I’ve accompanied people who say they don’t understand culture at all. With us, you don’t need to know anything in advance. This can open up completely new things in your life.

What Tiina Sangi and Marjo Mäkelä particularly enjoy about the volunteer work is meeting new people and having conversations.

– As a volunteer companion, I’ve heard many different life stories. I gain a lot myself and also feel that I’m giving something, Sangi says.

– When my working life ended, this activity gave my weeks something meaningful. I’ve accompanied people of very different ages – even young people – to places like the MD Dance Theatre and the Moomin Museum, Mäkelä recalls.

– This is voluntary work, and we do it according to our own energy levels. At the same time, it provides peer support for all of us, Vesanto notes.

Mansikkapaikka is a true gem

Tiina Santala from the Tampere for All development programme says that, alongside hobbies and cultural activities, Tampere residents aged 65–75 are also actively involved in volunteering.

– Active participation increases well-being, Santala says. – However, even in this age group, fewer people feel they belong to a group that is important to them. That is why it is vital to create new opportunities for residents to meet others.

One of the goals of the city’s well-being plan is to create more meeting places where people of different ages can come together. In addition, the city is strengthening its cooperation with existing partners that run such meeting places.

One of these partners is Mansikkapaikka, located in Lentävänniemi. According to Executive Director Mervi Matswetu, Mansikkapaikka is a hub for well-being.

At Mansikkapaikka, people can simply be there and meet others. They can also enjoy lunch, volunteer, or take part in weekly activities such as the Conversation Café or Digital Café. From the beginning of 2026, community gatherings supported by the city have also been organised at Mansikkapaikka.

– We’ve already hosted circus performances, a tango concert and sock dances. During Midsummer week, we’ll be holding Midsummer celebrations. The community gatherings have been so popular that we’ve had to move them to larger premises, Matswetu says.

Mansikkapaikka is open to people of all ages. For older people in particular, the aim is to support social relationships, brain health and physical fitness, as well as preparing for everyday life.

– People who have recently retired, and many other pensioners, are often living the best time of their lives. At the same time, they are laying the foundations for how they will cope as they grow older. At Mansikkapaikka, we help build people’s social, physical and psychological capital. People have a need to belong to a community, and for that we need places where people can come together, Matswetu says.