Residents of Laren who no longer dare to turn on the heating this winter can visit the Brinkhuis. Director Leon Schouten indicates that everyone has always been welcome, but now makes an emphatic appeal to people who are in danger of being left out in the cold: “Just come in.”
Due to the rising energy prices, the Brinkhuis decided to place another call. Schouten emphasizes that everyone is welcome and that you can enter without any obligation. “Let it be clear: it is not the case that you have to report with I am cold at home and I would like to warm up. That is of course not the intention. We are accessible.”
Own packed lunch
As a guest you don’t have to spend a euro, if you step inside. Visitors can even pick up a book in the library and warm up with their own packed lunch. No membership or anything like that is required.
Because a visit is so noncommittal, it is difficult for Schouten to say whether people are already using the warm rooms. “We do see a lot of students coming in with their own food and drinks, but they mainly come to study.” Self-employed people already know where to find the Brinkhuis. “Now I really hope that people who really need it are not ashamed, but just come this way.”
The Brinkhuis is open from Monday to Saturday.