New community meeting places open their doors in Hervanta and Kaukajärvi

The two new community meeting places are part of the City of Tampere’s Tampere for All development programme, which aims to strengthen participation, equality and community spirit. The activities of the new meeting places in Hervanta and Kaukajärvi are coordinated by Setlementti Tampere association. 
 

- We want to create spaces that respond to residents’ needs and are suitable for informal socialising, group activities and various events. The goal is that every resident looking for company and things to do has the opportunity to join in at a low threshold,” says Jaakko Laurila, Programme Manager of the Tampere for All development programme. 

Residents invited to help plan the activities 

Local residents, organisations and other actors are invited to take part in planning and organising activities. The use of the facilities is free of charge for activities that are open to everyone and promote community spirit.

“Shared activities could include, for example, playing board games, crafts, exercise, singing together, making music, art performances, quizzes or peer support,” says Tiina Lindgren, coordinator of the meeting places at Setlementti Tampere.

In addition to activities initiated by visitors themselves, the meeting places can host, for example, multilingual guidance, digital support and cultural performances. 

Residents are also welcome to come to the spaces just to hang out, read a book, or spend time with others. Both meeting places have a well-equipped kitchen with dishes available for visitors to use. Coffee is provided, and depending on the schedule, items such as porridge or surplus food are served from time to time.

The names of the new meeting places will be chosen based on suggestions from residents. People can take part in the naming competition on site during opening hours or on the Setlementti Tampere website (in Finnish only). The website also provides the programme and opening hours of the meeting places.