The magic of youth clubs and youth centres

Did you know that in Hafnarfjörður there are
Operating 9 community centres and 2 youth centres?

Youth Club and Youth Centre Week is celebrated
from 15th to 19th November. The week aims to highlight the importance and value of this platform for children and young people, with an encouragement for as many people as possible (parents, guardians, siblings, friends and other family members) to familiarise themselves with the activities of the centres in their local area. The work of youth clubs and youth centres is, by its nature, preventative, and the staff have placed great emphasis on creating a unique culture and environment with the children and young people.  

Youth centres in all neighbourhoods, serving all primary schools. 

The arrangement in Hafnarfjörður is very good, and children and young people have easy access to the service. A youth club operates in every neighbourhood, alongside all nine of the municipality's primary schools. The Dalurinn youth centre at Engidalsskóli is the most recent addition, serving children in the middle school years. The leisure clubs Kletturinn and Vinaskjól, in Húsið at Suðurgata 14, offer a wide range of leisure activities for children and young people with disabilities.  In Hafnarfjörður, there are also two youth centres, or a youth centre and a specialised youth club. On the one hand, there is Hamarinn on Suðurgata, with activities for 16- to 25-year-olds, and on the other, Músík og Mótor in Dalshraun, with activities for 13- to 25-year-olds. 

Information about the primary schools' youth clubs

Information about the leisure clubs at Húsinu

See an overview of the youth clubs in the primary schools. 

All about the youth centres 

Participation in organised leisure activities is an important preventative measure. 

Participation in organised sports and leisure activities has been shown to be very important for the future of children and young people; it has been considered one of the biggest protective factors in their lives. Young people who take part in organised activities are less likely than other children to use alcohol, tobacco and drugs. It does not matter whether it is sports, dance, music, scouting or youth club activities. Young people who take part in organised activities are more likely to do better at school, feel better, have a more positive body image and higher self-esteem. Samfés's definition of a youth club: A youth centre, as we know it today, is a safe haven where teenagers aged 13-16 can spend their free time without alcohol and drugs. The role of youth centres is to promote the positive development of teenagers, making them more independent in both their actions and social interactions, and better equipped to cope with life. 

The role of youth centres – leisure activities that take account of age and development 

The role of youth centres is to offer
provides leisure activities for children and young people aged 10-16
preventive, educational and educational value, taking into account their age and development.
It is important to provide facilities for recreation and socialising with
their peers in a safe environment. The emphasis is on engaging children and young people in
active participation and implementation in the work. The youth centre's work is
A diverse and youth-led programme. They also organise larger events.
events such as the primary school festival, singing competition, school skate, Hafnarfjarðarstíll and the quiz competition 'Do You Know the Answer', to name but a few. They also take part in larger events at
nationwide events such as the Samfés Song Contest, Samfestingnum and Rímnaflæði. The staff of the youth clubs try to encourage children and young people to follow their own
strengths, as the individual is more likely to flourish when
He finds suitable hobbies and interests. One of the things that youth centres place great importance on
The ambition is the participation of young people, and they are, as far as possible, kept involved.
advised and encouraged to participate in democratic life.

The youth centres also carry out search operations. 

Youth centres also
search operations, but that was the aspect of the activity which is aimed at finding and working
with children and young people who are considered a risk group for some reason or who need
Support should be maintained. In this way, staff carry out targeted group work with individuals who need it.
but research shows that well-organised and professionally conducted group work yields great results
Improvement in the well-being of children and young people.

Hamarinn and Músík & mótor provide social activities for older young people. 

When young people from Hafnarfjörður come of age
From secondary school age, the Youth Centre 'The Hammer' takes over, which is located on Suðurgata.
14 and is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. every weekday. There are
young people in Hafnarfjörður a safe space where they run projects and a programme in consultation with
staff. In the Hamrin there is a facility to learn, enjoy, go to the pool or get
Counselling from Bergið Headspace and Samtökin 78. There is organised work there.
around role-playing games, crafts, outdoor activities and more. Every other Tuesday is
Queer Hammer, where young people who identify as queer meet and have
a cosy evening together. You can find The Hammer on Facebook and Instagram to follow their work and everything they have to offer. 

Músik og mótor is a specialised youth centre located in the old liquorice factory at Dalshrauni 10. You can hire a room there.
for use in all kinds of artistic creation, such as for orchestras to rehearse,
artists creating or whatever requires space. There is also a large garage where you can find tools and equipment to take apart motorbikes, cars, and in fact anything, and put them back together. Musik and Motor is open all week.
days from 3 pm – 10 pm. Music and Motor is also on. Facebook and Instagram.

Find out about the work of the youth centres.

Hafnarfjörður encourages parents and guardians to familiarise themselves with the work of the youth centres, and children and young people to make use of the service, and at the same time thanks the staff, children and young people for their contribution to shaping a youth club and environment characterised by a unique atmosphere, enthusiasm, ambition and, above all, joy! 

Thank you all!