The people in Zorgboerderij De Hooberg in Netersel are shocked by the reactions of local residents to the plans to build fourteen Tiny Houses. Some local residents are afraid that ex-criminals, heavy drug addicts or pedophiles will come into the houses, but that is definitely not the case. “We are not criminals or crazies,” says participant Jessica de Kok when she shows who are staying in the haystack.
Around thirty people are coffee in the joint space of the care farm. Some are busy with Diamond Paintingothers chat something or are painting. There is a calm, pleasant atmosphere in the old peasant shed.
“It feels like a family here. When you enter, it’s like stepping in a warm bath,” says Jessica de Kok. Because of a traumatic childhood and a difficult divorce, she became addicted and ended up in isolation. She has been coming to the haystack for three years a few days a week and since then she feels much better.
“I’ve been completely clean for half a year,” she says proudly. “In all this time I come here, there was never anything annoying happening with other participants.” When the weather is nice, the participants are also busy with the goats, chickens and horses on the care farm or they work in the bicycle maker.
“At De Hooberg we catch participants from the Kempen who have psychological complaints and need temporary rest,” explains Els Meijer, director of the care farm. “Before someone comes in here, I have an extensive and personal conversation. People with heavy problems are not allowed, because we want participants to be able to support each other. We offer a safe place where they can work with fellow sufferers and professionals on their recovery.”
Els understands that worrying in the neighborhood. “Our participants are already struggling enough. It hurts when they are put away as criminals or ‘crazy’.” At the same time, local residents are concerned about possible nuisance from confused persons if there are fourteen Tiny Houses Want to. They also find it incomprehensible that there will be no 24-hour supervision.
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De Hooberg works with professional employees with a college education. Clients also support each other in fellow sufferers. As the Tiny Houses There will be no 24/7 guidance, but the staff will remain available 24 hours a day.
At the moment, people can spend the night in a guest house for a short time at De Hooberg to relax. “We also want to offer an opportunity to stay longer if necessary. That is why we want the Tiny Houses Building behind the farm, “Els explains.” I understand that local residents have doubts if they don’t know us. That is why I invite everyone to come and see, so that they can see for themselves what kind of people are. “
Jessica finds the criticism from the neighborhood painful. “It touches me, because the image that is being sketched is simply incorrect.” Els emphasizes that the care farm does not receive people with a serious problem. “These are not people who have just come out of prison or have psychotic episodes. They are people like you and me, who have a hard time psychologically.”
The proposal for the fourteen Tiny Houses will be discussed in the Bladel city council on Thursday 20 February.