Torsten Wiegel warns: youth clubs in Potsdam are on the verge of extinction!

Torsten Wiegel warns: youth clubs in Potsdam are on the verge of extinction!

A newly appointed Zampano in Potsdam: Torsten Wiegel, who has been working as a youth representative for the state capital since July 1, 2025, commented on the challenges of youth culture in the city. Wiegel, who previously worked in Magdeburg as head of the art and culture department, had an eye on the development of youth clubs from an early stage. He made it clear that he expects some youth clubs to close. These clubs, which once served as “extended children’s rooms without parents,” are now under pressure from changing leisure habits and declining attendance. Wiegel said in an interview with maz-online.de that we first have to wait for the results of a current investigation in order to plan concretely.

However, Wiegel's core message is not about saving, but rather about creating “need-based offers”. It turns out that the needs and expectations of young people today are completely different than in the 90s, when plush spaces were created for a carefree time. According to Wiegel, there could be a decline in youth clubs, but the remaining ones should be better equipped. This is also a concern of Rüdiger Schmolke, the managing director of the city youth group. He emphasizes that the attractiveness of a youth club should not only be measured by the number of visitors. “Quality matters, and location matters,” he adds.

Need for well thought out concepts

But that's not enough; The chairman of the youth welfare committee, Tiemo Reimann, also has an ear for the topic. He warns against deceptive austerity measures and calls for well-thought-out strategies for child and youth work in Potsdam. Reimann is committed to more places to stay that go beyond youth clubs. “The offering should be diverse,” he is convinced. At the same time, there are complaints about marauding young people in Babelsberg. Wiegel points out that a youth club is not the only solution and suggests outreach social work instead. Overall, Potsdam has 21 children's and youth clubs, while the much larger Hanover has only set up 18.

Torsten Wiegel, who was born in Halle an der Saale in 1969, brings a lot of experience to his new role. Before moving to Potsdam, he lived in Kirschau and worked for over two decades as managing director of a socio-cultural center in Bautzen. He studied social and cultural education and was involved in numerous committees as well as through voluntary work. A detailed CV will be published soon to provide insight into his qualifications. Above all, however, he looks at the youth culture in Potsdam with a fresh perspective and wants to actively help shape it - there is something there!