“I’m actually the center of De Spil,” says Yvonne van Rooyen. She is the village support worker of Gasselternijveen and can be found several times a week in MFC De Spil. Villagers recognize her by her blue bicycle. She regularly cycles around the village with it. Do they see the blue bicycle somewhere? Then they know that Yvonne is there for them.
For this episode about regional heroes, reporter Ineke goes out with Yvonne for a day. But she certainly doesn’t want to be called a hero. “I bring people together. I have a whole team of volunteers around me, without them I really couldn’t have done this.”
We meet her in De Spil where the coffee morning is in full swing. About twenty residents are having coffee and playing games with each other.
Some of them were brought by the ‘Spilexpres’. A taxi van purchased by the village itself. Elderly people who cannot come to the MFC independently are picked up in the morning and brought home again. And if you want, you can also grab a fork during lunch.
An ideal remedy against loneliness, and residents can also immediately ask their questions. To Yvonne or the volunteers who help during the morning. But also at the village counter that helps people (digitally) on their way.
Applying for a new health insurance card, making an appointment at the municipality, assistance with applying for benefits, it’s all possible.
While drinking coffee, Yvonne gets on her blue bicycle and tells us how important that bicycle is to her. She also takes us to Arjan and Lambert. The two were linked together by Yvonne. Lambert helps Arjan with all kinds of chores.
“Having such a buddy makes it possible for Arjan to continue living independently, which is fantastic!” says Yvonne, not without pride.
According to her, this is the future of healthcare. “A bit of compassion, we are increasingly aging. We have to help each other, otherwise healthcare will soon be unaffordable.”
You can see it all in this episode of Expeditie Nederland.