Meeting places and cafés

Meeting places and cafés are spaces open to everyone for hobbies and getting to know new people. In meeting places, participants and volunteers do fun things together that they are interested in. Meeting places also organise various campaigns, events, and parties that bring many people together.

In winter, you can go ice skating or organise a Shrove Tuesday event. In summer, it is nice to enjoy the sun and organise a picnic, go to the beach together, or host a pancake party. Running a meeting place involves many different large and small tasks, from which you can choose the one that suits you best. You can contact the meeting place directly or get in touch with the contact person for integration support/immigration work in your area.

The activity may also be called an international meeting place or an international club.

How to get involved in meeting place activities

Sign up as a volunteer in your local area by creating a profile on Oma Punainen Risti. Through the platform, you will receive more information about the activities of your local branch. You can also search for integration support activities in your area on Oma Punainen Risti.

Training path

• Welcome to the Red Cross (45 min), online self-study.
• Supporting integration (3 hours) – find the next course on Oma Punainen Risti.

Other recommended training courses

• Diversity in volunteer work – find the next course on Oma Punainen Risti.

Establishing a new meeting place

If your locality does not yet have a meeting place but you would like to establish one, you can contact your local branch or the staff member responsible for immigration work at your district office. Contact details can be found here (in Finnish).