After more than fifteen years, Emmy Stark (64) and Koos van Bout (65) think it’s over. They are looking for two life partners who want to take over their important task of caring for people with intellectual disabilities in the Thomashuis in Andel. “We had to miss quite a bit of our private life, but we got an incredible amount in return,” says Emmy.
Emmy and Koos live in the monumental farmhouse on Burgemeester van der Schansstraat with eight permanent residents, each with their own room. Emmy: “We are emphatically not a kind of father or mother to them because, after all, everyone has their own family. Koos and I are important people in the lives of our residents and the residents in turn play an important role in our lives. We are a community and not a strange family.”
“We saw in other types of housing that residents often had to deal with a procession of supervisors.”
Emmy and Koos were at the cradle of the Thomashuis in Andel. Both have a background in healthcare and thought it was important to offer continuity to people with disabilities on a small scale. “We saw in other types of housing that residents often had to deal with a procession of supervisors and care providers passing by. That is not good for their development or their sense of being ‘seen’ or ‘known’. Because we are always there, we can take care of this and that is very pleasant,” Emmy explains.
Although Emmy and Koos are the permanent fixtures in the house, they do not do everything themselves. “We have had a great team of employees around us for years,” says Koos. “This also allows us to take some distance from time to time, because for us work and private life are always intertwined. That’s why I never have the feeling that I’m going to work. Even with appointments I make, I always have to take the possibility into account that something comes up.”
“There is also quite a bit of administration involved,” Emmy adds. “That has become more and more common over the years. As Thomashuis, we are an independent company and you must therefore ensure that the business operations are correct. In addition to being a supervisor, you are also an employer. That was the biggest challenge for me in the beginning.”
“The residents and their families have become part of our lives.”
The realization that they are going to transfer the Thomas house to a new couple is now increasingly dawning on them. Koos: “That farewell will be very difficult. The residents and their families have become part of our lives.”
“We have indeed become extremely attached to this group. But at a certain point you have to know when to stop. You start doing things on a routine basis without noticing. I want the residents to get a new impetus and for that you need other people,” says Emmy. ..
The search for their successors has now started. Koos has a clear idea about this: “In addition to knowledge and experience, they must above all radiate pleasure and be enthusiastic about the concept of the Thomas House. It has been quite an adventure for us, but also an enormous enrichment of our lives.”
“I think this is the most fun thing I’ve ever done.”
Emmy: “I think this is the most fun thing I have ever done. At the same time, I am also looking forward to our lives becoming more normal again and to having more time for my two granddaughters.”
On Saturday afternoon, November 18, the residents of the Thomashuis in Andel will hold an ‘open house’. People who are interested in taking over the Thomashuis can come by.