Neighborhood in Action: a story of citizens in solidarity
After EVA bxl first co-directed the development of the Maison BILOBA House, an innovative housing and care initiative in the Brussels Brabant neighborhood, EVA bxl was shortly thereafter the driving force behind the informal care project in the same neighborhood, which was part of the Care Test Gardens. Here the basis was formed for the“Neighborhood in Action“ project.
The original idea was to use a well-organized informal care network to ensure that seniors could continue to live at home with quality for as long as possible. It soon became clear that it is not easy for people to ask for help. Moreover, we wanted to ensure that seniors could continue to play a meaningful role in their immediate environment for as long as possible: their entourage, their neighborhood. The belief in the power of people convinced us to adapt our approach and start working with the strengths and talents of seniors, of citizens living in the neighborhood.
“We see the senior as someone with potential who plays a role in society, in the city, in his neighborhood, in his environment, in his family and not as someone who needs care, who is a burden on his family and on society … and this has a positive impact on physical and mental health, improved quality of life and resilience.”
The focus was extended to all residents of the neighborhood and efforts were made to establish reciprocity. A group of solidary citizens carry the project Neighborhood in Action. Discover all the experiences and lessons learned in the roadmap via THIS LINK.
The brochure was co-sponsored by Zilver aan Zet, CERA.
