Loneliness Fight in the Netherlands: How a Woman’s Tragic Discovery Led to a Decade of Community Initiatives.
In 2013, a woman named Bep de Bruin was found dead in her Rotterdam home after a decade of isolation. This heartbreaking event prompted local action to combat loneliness.
A politician, Hugo de Junge, launched a volunteer scheme to check on residents over 75. The initiative expanded nationally in 2018, showing promising results in reducing loneliness among the elderly.
Various innovative projects emerged, like “chatty checkouts” in supermarkets and postal workers reporting concerns. The national campaign, “One Against Loneliness,” encourages collaboration among businesses, charities, and community groups.
It has inspired creative solutions, such as Oopoeh’s matchmaking for seniors and busy dog owners.
The initiative broadened in 2022 to address loneliness across society, not just among the elderly. Projects like Join Us now focus on helping young adults build connections.
Despite limited budgets, these efforts receive subsidies, aiming to break the stigma associated with loneliness.
While loneliness remains a challenge, the collaborative approach in the Netherlands offers hope. The solution, according to Mischa Stubenitsky from the health ministry, lies in society’s collective contribution. These initiatives strive to prevent stories like Bep de Bruin’s from happening again. (Credit: BBC as the source)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67714026