On April 19, 2026, YEPP officially kicked off the first of our new 6-part workshop series designed specifically for teenagers aged 15+. Hosted at the Helsinki Central Library Oodi, the session titled “Well-Being and Social Sensitivity” brought together a group of engaged young people to explore self-efficacy, community, and social confidence. This first session was organized to host Program Stypendialny Horyzonty visiting YEPP from Poland. A total of 20 young people from multiple nationalities participated in the session.
We began the afternoon by building a foundation of comfort and trust, with the goal to set a bright, positive tone for the challenging but rewarding discussions that followed.
The core of the workshop focused on our first objective: Re-Defining the Narrative. Rather than viewing social sensitivity as a hurdle, we explored it as a tool for deeper connection.
The participants had the floor to share their personal experiences and opinions. Participants were divided into small groups and rotated through four distinct activity stations. These stations were designed to challenge social comfort zones in a supportive way, allowing everyone to strengthen and utilize social skills in real-time.
It was inspiring to witness a safe, peer-led environment where young people felt empowered to speak openly about their social perspectives, learn, and support each other through play and interaction.
We concluded the day with a moment of mutual respect. Everyone took the time to shake hands and personally thank one another for their contributions to the day’s energy. It was a powerful reminder of how quickly a group of strangers can become a supportive community.
What’s Next?
This was only the first step! As part of a 6-part series, we have five more sessions designed to help teenagers navigate their well-being and social world.
A special thank you to our facilitator Sofia Repo, Chuka, Maria and Ulyana from Program Stypendialny Horyzonty for helping make this workshop possible.
