Project Update: Handbook Development, Evaluation Tools and Preparations for the Second Seminar

During the spring and early summer, the CHAMP project has continued to make significant progress towards its goal of strengthening and professionalising anonymous chat-based support services for young people in Finland and Sweden.

One of the project’s key activities has been the development of the CHAMP handbook. Following an extensive process of gathering knowledge, experiences, and best practices from professionals and volunteers working in chat-based support, the handbook content has now been finalised. The project team is currently collaborating with a graphic designer to transform the material into a practical, accessible, and user-friendly resource. The aim is to create a handbook that can effectively support both professionals and volunteers in their daily work and contribute to high-quality, safe, and consistent support for young people.

Alongside this, preparations are well underway for the project’s second seminar which will take place in Helsinki on 10 October 2026. The seminar will bring together professionals, volunteers, and other stakeholders working with digital support services to share knowledge, strengthen networks, and discuss current topics related to anonymous support services and youth mental health. The programme is currently being finalised and will include both expert lectures and opportunities for dialogue and exchange of experiences.

Another important focus area during the spring has been the development of an evaluation tool designed specifically for organisations providing anonymous support services. Measuring the impact of anonymous interventions can be challenging, and the CHAMP project aims to address this need by creating a practical and flexible tool that organisations can use to assess and demonstrate the effectiveness of their work.

These activities represent important steps towards the project’s overall objective of improving the quality, sustainability, and effectiveness of anonymous chat support services. The CHAMP team looks forward to sharing more results and insights during the autumn as the handbook, evaluation tool, and seminar preparations continue to advance.