ABOUT LANGUAGE
Casa operates mostly in Finnish, but all the employees and many visitors can communicate also in English. If you feel like joining us, do not hesitate to come – you wouldn’t be the first English-speaker among us.
FOR WHOM?
The activities of the cultural workshop are intended for young adults aged 18-35 who have a mental health challenge or an otherwise challenging life situation. However, becoming a visitor does not require a diagnosis or referral. Your own experience of the challenge is enough. The most important thing is that you yourself are interested in participating in activities of the cultural workshop.
HOW TO JOIN?
We recommend you join the activities by coming to a familiarization visit. You can show up in the Come Along group (usually at 12 am on Wednesdays), which is intended for especially this purpose, or arrange your own familiarization visit with the Casa employees. You are also welcome to bring a friend or a support person. New visitors are constantly joining the cultural workshop, so we try to make joining us as easy as possible.
WHERE AND WHEN?
You can find us in Turku at Linnankatu 9 B 14. Casa is open Tue-Fri from 10 am to 4 pm (closed on Mondays). Activities are organized in five-week periods, which are followed by a gap week during which Casa is mostly closed for visitors. You can find the period program here. You may also keep an eye on Casa’s social media channels (Instagram and Facebook).
WHAT DOES THE CULTURE WORKSHOP DO?
Cultural workshop offers its visitors a place where they can focus on their own interests. Every visitor can make use of their own skills and strengths. Casa also offers a community with which you can safely try new things and acquire new skills.
Casa’s activities are organized in five-week periods. The sixth week is reserved for planning the activities and the upcoming period. During the break the workshop is not open. The period program therefore changes every six weeks. Typically some groups will continue, some will cease at least temporarily, and something new will emerge. Participation in the groups is completely voluntary. Visitors may participate in the activity according to their own ability, schedule and interest.
WHAT IS A PEER TUTOR?
Peer tutors are visitors’ peers: young adults interested in culture, who have some mental health challenge or otherwise challenging life situation.
Visitors who are interested in guiding their own group can apply for peer tutor training. You are welcome to join the peer tutor training even if you have not yet participated in Casa’s activities. New peer tutors are usually trained twice a year.
Peer tutoring does not require special skills. The most important thing is that the peer tutor is interested in group guidance and supporting and encouraging other visitors.
THE ROLE OF EMPLOYEES
Cultural workshop has currently two employees, Vilma and Henni. At least one of them, and often both are around when the workshop is open. We make sure that the daily life of the workshop runs smoothly. We also promote a tolerant and encouraging atmosphere.
The Cultural workshop staff acts as background support for the peer tutors, holding mentoring discussions with them. We help tutors to plan and prepare the groups and purchase necessary accessories if needed. In addition, we regularly offer peer tutors professional guidance.
The employees of the cultural workshop are also there to support the visitors. You can always come and chat with us. Challenging situations in groups or otherwise at the cultural workshop are always the responsibility of the employees.
In addition to employees, there may be students completing an internship or someone completing a work try-out.