In the neighbourhoods of Kraling-Crooswijk and Noord a telephone system called “Tante Kwebbel” brings neighbourhood residents into contact with each other. The system connects residents which need a helping hand with residents who want to do something for someone else. People who do not know each other but do live in the same neighbourhood come into contact.
Project Goal
How can social contacts between residents who normally would not meet each other be stimulated?
Who benefits
Residents of the neighbourhood.
How it works
Neighbourhood residents call with Tante Kwebbel to indicate their help for need. Mostly this involves a technical joh, support in buying groceries or just a nice conversation. The telephone system connects the resident with a need for help with a resident who wants to help. Participants are allowed to refuse the call. The system directly searches on for another suitable resident. Participants can both ask for help as well as offer help. Afterwards, they can indicate whether they liked it. When people were not satisfied with the contact they will not be connected again.
Results
Unexpected contact between youth and elderly and between native and immigrant residents have been established.
People are helped almost directly
Participants help each other whenever it suits them
People are pulled from their social isolation
After 4 months 130 people have applied themselves and 59 participants have been connected.
Evaluation
People mostly want to help of be helped. In this project the participants have both roles. This means that people who always provide are for once offered help. It also works the other way around. People who always ask for help, are given the opportunity to help someone. This stimulates them to become active. To connect people as good as possible many participants are needed. When people do not answer the phone quickly enough the system switches over to another participants. This takes time. This is something the participants who asks for help should well be aware of.
Funding and resources
The project is financed by CVD, Almende and Thuiszorg Rotterdam and the municipality of certain districts of Rotterdam.
About this good practice
- Project dates
- -
- Geographic area
- Netherlands
- Organisation
- Almende
Details
- Posted by