CHAMP Project Held Its Second Seminar in Helsinki
On 10 October 2026, the CHAMP project organised its second seminar and training workshop in Helsinki, Finland. The event brought together professionals and volunteers from Finland and Sweden working with chat-based support services for young people. Building on the project’s first seminar in Stockholm earlier this year, the day offered new opportunities for learning, practical training, networking and cross-border collaboration.
The CHAMP project manager Anna Valkeakari together with Linda Stråka guest speaker at the seminar.
The seminar focused on two important themes in digital support work: supporting young people who have experienced violence in relationships and exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) could be used in the training of chat personnel.
The programme began with a lecture by Linda Stråka, therapist specialised in violence prevention, on how to support young people with experiences of violence in relationships. The session provided valuable knowledge and perspectives on how professionals and volunteers can recognise and respond to sensitive situations, and how to create a safe and supportive environment for young people seeking help through anonymous chat services.
Following lunch, participants took part in the CHAMP projects second AI pilot, testing a tool designed to simulate chat conversations with young people. The aim was to explore how AI-generated conversations could be used as a practical training resource for both new and experienced chat personnel and volunteers.
During the pilot, participants had the opportunity to interact with simulated young people in different situations and reflect on the possibilities and challenges of using AI in training. The activity provided valuable insights into how AI could complement traditional training methods by offering opportunities to practise communication skills, explore different scenarios and build confidence in responding to young people seeking support.
The afternoon continued with a workshop exploring the question: “Why should young people chat with us when they can also chat with AI?”
Through group discussions, participants reflected on the role of human interaction in an increasingly digital world. The workshop encouraged participants to consider the strengths of human-led support services, the opportunities and limitations of AI, and what makes anonymous chat services meaningful and valuable for young people.
The discussions highlighted important questions about human connection, empathy, safety and the future of digital support services. They also provided valuable perspectives for the CHAMP project’s continued work on exploring AI solutions and strengthening the quality of chat-based support.
Throughout the day, participants had opportunities to exchange experiences, share perspectives and strengthen connections across organisations and national borders.
The organisers would like to thank all participants for their active engagement, openness and valuable contributions throughout the seminar. The experiences and feedback gathered during the day will support the continued development of the CHAMP project’s tools, training materials and AI-related activities.
The Helsinki seminar marked another important step in the project’s cross-border collaboration, bringing us closer to our shared goal of making anonymous chat-based support more accessible, safe and effective for young people in Finland and Sweden.
Anna Valkeakari, Project Manager, CHAMP
