Workshop “When I Turn 18” in Uherské Hradiště: how to talk with young people about adulthood, work and money

On 12 March 2026, as part of the VOL Mezi dvěma světy project, we held the “When I Turn 18” workshop in Uherské Hradiště. The workshop focused on topics connected with entering adulthood, independence, work, finances and everyday responsibility. It was led by Martina Řeháková.

The programme took place in the afternoon after school and was based mainly on interactive activities and discussion. Given the broad age range of the participants, cards, worksheets, model situations and group discussion were used so that the children could be involved as actively as possible.

The opening part of the workshop focused on adulthood and on what young people expect from entering adult life. The children answered anonymous questions about what they were most looking forward to and what they were worried about. Their answers often included independence, work, financial responsibility, or fears about having to manage everything on their own. The workshop thus opened up a safe space for discussion about the fact that most adults learn these things gradually and that nobody starts out with perfect experience.

A large part of the programme was devoted to finances and basic living costs. The children tried out model budgeting using envelopes for individual expenses such as rent, food, utilities, transport or a phone. The activity also included optional spending and later unexpected life situations, which showed how important a financial reserve is. This part of the workshop sparked lively discussion and helped the participants better understand why it is important to think ahead when managing money.

Another part focused on work, part-time jobs and personal skills. The children thought about what kind of job they might like to do one day, where to look for their first part-time jobs and what they could offer an employer even if they did not yet have any work experience. In a model activity, they also tried out the role of an employer and together looked for answers to why not only experience matters, but also reliability, willingness to learn and attitude to work.

The workshop also included a short skills test that encouraged the children to think about what they enjoy and what they are good at. The following discussion showed that hobbies and personal strengths can one day become the basis for future work or a small source of income.

At the end of the programme, the participants took part in a practical and playful activity. Martina Řeháková brought a badge-making machine, and each child could create their own badge. They chose from prepared designs and made their own badge themselves. According to the feedback, this part was a great success and naturally followed on from the theme of enterprise, skills and independence. At the same time, it helped create a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere in which the children opened up even more after the formal workshop had ended.

After the workshop, Martina Řeháková also spoke with the director and shared feedback on how the children had worked during the programme. The experience from the workshop also showed that with such a wide age range of participants, it can be beneficial to work with smaller groups or to take the differing needs of younger and older children more into account. Older participants tend to raise more concrete and practical questions connected with the future, while younger children often see these topics from a different perspective.

The workshop in Uherské Hradiště once again confirmed that when such topics are presented in a practical and understandable way, with room for questions, they are highly meaningful for young people. Topics such as adulthood, finances, work and responsibility raise slightly different questions for each participant, but a safe environment, concrete examples and the opportunity to take an active part help children and young people better imagine what lies ahead for them.

The VOL Mezi dvěma světy project (reg. no. CZ.03.02.02/00/24_077/0005465) is implemented through the Employment Plus Operational Programme, co-financed by the European Social Fund and the state budget of the Czech Republic. The project is co-financed by the European Union.