Local care: start a care circle with your neighbours
Care close to home. Residents in the Salentein neighbourhood of Lelystad take care of this themselves. Together, they form a care circle and have agreed to be there for one another whenever needed. ‘It’s not about professional care, but about caring. Looking out for one another,’ explains Hans Overbeek. Together with Joop Roos, he is the initiator of this mutual care circle.
Prepared for the future
A large group of residents in this neighbourhood in the Landerijen have lived here for over twenty years. They are all getting older and most are already enjoying their retirement. ‘We’re still managing just fine and don’t need any care yet, but we know it won’t always be that way. That’s why we want to get to know one another now and build a network,’ explain the organisers. They recognise that older people can no longer automatically rely on the sort of support that used to be organised. ‘Because the government is increasingly stepping back.’
That is why we collaborate with Coloriet, Woonzorg Flevoland, Icare and Centrada as part of the ‘Sterk met je Netwerk’ initiative. The aim is to help residents strengthen their social networks, look out for one another more and support each other wherever possible.
What is a ‘precautionary circle’?
One of the initiatives within ‘Sterk met je Netwerk’ (Strong with your Network) is the ‘precaution circle’. Around 10 to 15 older people in the same neighbourhood agree to look out for one another and support each other where necessary. This is not about professional care, but about practical help, companionship and combating loneliness. Care circles are being set up across the country. In Lelystad, too, residents and organisations are working towards this, so that people can help one another and remain independent and active in their own neighbourhood for as long as possible. Lelystad currently has eleven care circles.
From idea to neighbourhood initiative
Hans explains: ‘I read an article in a magazine about care circles and wanted to set one up in my own neighbourhood. I was looking for a place where neighbours could meet’. Through Kaylee, he ended up at the De Waterbever community centre. Kaylee Hekkenberg, as a community worker, is the coordinator of the neighbourhood watch groups.
Helping one another starts small
What can you do for someone else? And what do you need yourself? Hans put these questions to the local residents who now form the ‘precaution circle’ together. ‘The list of things we can do for others is long. The list of things we ask for ourselves is short,’ he says with a laugh. ‘Asking for help isn’t easy. That’s precisely why it’s good that we already know each other and do little things for one another from time to time. For example, putting out the bin for a neighbour who has difficulty walking.’
‘If we do need care in the future, we’ll know where to turn,’ adds Joop. As a social worker, Kaylee knows the network in Lelystad well and works closely with various organisations. ‘I can quickly put residents in touch with the right organisation or support.’ Hans and Joop think that’s a reassuring thought.
Photo caption: Neighbours Joop Roos (left) and Hans Overbeek in conversation with Kaylee Hekkenberg from Welzijn Lelystad about the ‘circle of care’. Own photo
