Children and young people with developmental disabilities need more than just a place to stay—they need a place where they feel at home, seen, and appreciated. That is the belief of the Sol og Strand Foundation, Sol og Strand Margit and Kjeld, who have chosen to support LykkeLiga with a donation of 114,000 Danish kroner for the interior design of a new clubhouse in Aalborg.

"Here, we plan to create a cool lounge area that is inviting and encourages socializing and community. At the same time, we want to set up an arena where people can play ball games, among other things, says Charlotte Espensen, development manager at LykkeLiga, as she shows us around the 800-square-meter building at Ølgodvej 7 in Aalborg Øst, which LykkeLiga took over in May last year.

From the outside, the building that formerly housed the trade union Teknisk Landsforbund looks like nothing more than an anonymous office building. But that impression disappears as soon as you step inside. Here, enthusiasm is high—and so are the visions of the team behind LykkeLiga.

"Our desire is to create a house that can provide a framework for lots of happiness and experiences for children and young people with special needs," says Charlotte Espensen with a smile.

PHOTO: LykkeLiga

A place where friendships can grow

The clubhouse, named "LykkeLab – Denmark's Happiest Clubhouse," will provide a setting for community, exercise, and experiences for children and young people who are too often left without recreational communities. LykkeLab is for children and young people with special needs, and everyone in LykkeLiga will be able to use the clubhouse. The idea is that residential facilities and special schools will also be able to make use of the clubhouse. The ambition for LykkeLab is not just functionality, but the feeling of stepping into a place where you are something special.

Loneliness and lack of well-being are a reality for many children and young people in our target group. There are not many meeting places specifically aimed at them, and we want to give them a place where they can become part of a community and meet both new and existing friends, says Charlotte Espensen, adding that it will not be a requirement to be part of LykkeLiga to use the house.

There is still a lot of work to be done before the house is renovated. The ambition is to create a world-class clubhouse, and therefore the next step is to initiate a vision process involving external partners. It is still too early to say when the house will be completely finished. However, it will be possible to take a look inside when LykkeLiga invites everyone to participate in a fun run in Aalborg Øst on March 15.

"We are showing the house to interested parties, and we have invited the mayor of Aalborg Municipality, Lasse Frimand Jensen (S), as well as professional handball players to attend," says Charlotte Espensen.

More than just furniture

At the Sol og Strand Foundation Sol og Strand co-founder Margit Andersen is delighted with the project that is taking shape in Aalborg East.

"When we support a project like LykkeLab, it's not just funding for furniture and interior design. We're supporting a place where relationships can grow and where children and young people can experience themselves as part of a meaningful community, which can help prevent unhappiness and loneliness," says Margit Andersen.

FACTS

LykkeLiga was established in 2017 by two married couples, Rikke Nielsen and Lars Lundsgaard, and Charlotte and Mikael Espensen. They are the parents of Magda and Kaya, two girls who both have developmental disabilities.

Today, LykkeLiga is a nationwide sports community with around 1,600 players spread across 85 clubs—including four in the Faroe Islands and one in Greenland—as well as more than 500 volunteers. In just a few years, LykkeLiga has achieved remarkable results in the fight against loneliness and unhappiness among children and young people with developmental disabilities.

LykkeLiga has also developed into a real export commodity. There are now 40 clubs in Germany, Norway has shown interest in the concept, and South Korea, among others, has been inspired to develop a local counterpart.

With LykkeLab, the initiative now also has a physical home that can bring together children, families, and professionals—and open its doors to even more people.