Be happy, have a meaningful life and feel yourself valuable. It may sound obvious, but unfortunately for many people this is not the case. Milou van Loenen is there for them every day. She is a social cultural worker and talks about her experiences.
Milou works at Piezo. That is one of the nine organizations in the inZet partnership. “Within this collaboration we help people who fall outside society for various reasons,” says Milou.
Focus on what is possible
For example, she accompanies someone who has suffered a brain injury as a result of an accident. “He was only in his forties when that happened. He lost his job and became isolated as a result. He had the feeling that he no longer counted. But that’s not true. I always try to see with someone what he or she can still do.”
This is how this man discovered that he likes writing. “He is now a volunteer in the communication department at Piezo. He writes stories in the newsletter based on his experience. That is nice for him, but by sharing those experiences he also helps others.”
Piezo works with Positive Health and the Piezo Method. Milou: “Positive health is used as a conversation tool as a basis for the broad intake. Here we look for (unmet) needs/development needs in people. The PiezoMethodology offers a perspective for action to get started with this.”
Vulnerable people don’t exist
According to Milou, it is not surprising that people feel excluded – for various reasons. “Society is very performance-oriented and demands a lot from us. Everything always has to be more and better. If you can’t keep up with the crowd for a while, you quickly fall out of the boat. Or society makes you feel that way. People quickly talk about vulnerable people, ask yourself: do they even exist? I believe that everyone has talents and is of value.”
Step-by-step
If someone is now in isolation, it is of course not possible to change that overnight. “We have a step-by-step plan for this, the Piezo Method. We start small. Think of drawing or painting activities or helping out in the garden. In this way you discover who you are again and what actually gives you pleasure.”
“After that, we look at whether we can offer someone voluntary work in which someone can grow. Then we look at where we can connect in the city. For example, someone who likes care applies for a job at a nursing home. We also offer vocational training.”
Large group of volunteers
According to Milou, the support of a huge group of volunteers in Zoetermeer is also very important. “That is more than 900. A fantastic group of people who are committed to others every day, that is heartwarming.”
Knowing more?
Would you like to know more about Piezo and the other organizations within inZet? Then view the website For more information.