Participation & Self-Dependence Program
Chapter 3
The Participation & Self-Dependence Program is for residents who require support to improve their skills either short term or for a longer period. It may be for basic skills such as language, digital competence, and mathematics, but also skills that are necessary to participate in society.
We provide support for these residents, together with our partners in the social domain, by developing projects that meet their needs and that are in line with how residents learn.
We know that prejudices occur here. They exist in every society, including ours. We hope to contribute by addressing this topic during our activities so that everyone is accepted and can participate in society.
In brief Highlights from the Participation & Self-Dependence Program in 2022
Working together to prevent low literacy
The Tel mee met Taal employer subsidy is given to companies to help them fight low literacy among their staff. We believe it is important to make employers aware of low literacy and the impact it has on work performance.
The Kennemerwaard Public Library implements projects in this area and supports companies when they apply for an employer subsidy for these projects.
This has already resulted in the Taal op de Werkvloer project in two companies. There was a project at Zaffier (previously WNK) in 2021 and 2022, and there has been one at Espeq since September 2022.
Espeq is a small regional company in Heerhugowaard that trains employees in the construction industry. Zaffier is a company for people who have been unable to participate in the work process due to a work disability. The project was held at the PostNL work location at Zaffier in Opmeer. Residents who live in Alkmaar, Castricum, Bergen, en Dijk en Waard work here. They leave Zaffier’s head office in Alkmaar daily on buses to PostNL.
Zaffier has requested the Kennemerwaard Public Library carry out the Taal op de Werkvloer project again at the PostNL location in Opmeer, expenses to be paid by the employer.
Experiment ABC Huis in De Mare
Now that Artiance and the Kennemerwaard Public Library have officially merged as the ABC Huis, it was time to determine where the strengths of this partnership lie in practice. What is the added value for our residents? Artiance has received requests for some time now from senior citizens in De Mare who felt there was a need for activities in their neighborhood. What better place to start an experiment than the branch of the Kennemerwaard Public Library in De Mare.
It began in autumn with BiebKoffie, as part of Warme Kamers, a Leger des Heils (Salvation Army) initiative now in all libraries in the Netherlands. Every workday between 11.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon people are welcome to join us for a cup of coffee, to meet and chat with other residents in the community and with ABC Huis staff. It was a success from day one. Every day eight to ten community members in different groups drop by for a cup of coffee.
Several different projects have resulted from these coffee mornings. There is an open art walk-in on Tuesday afternoon; a chill-out evening on Wednesdays for younger people where they get involved with art; and underage status holders who gather a few times during the week to get to know each other, the way our society works, and to learn the language.
JobFlow
Considerable work was carried out the last few years to strengthen the (digi) language and mathematical skills for youngsters and young adults with no basic qualifications. This was achieved together with partners in the social domain. The aim is to increase opportunities for these young people to successfully join the work force. A further development of these projects which has now taken place is JobFlow. It’s a project where the focus lies on strengthening basic skills and for this project, we have received funding from the Koninklijke Bibliotheek.
We are also working on this project in cooperation with different partners from within the Stadsfabriek in Alkmaar. These partners are all focused on young adults who have difficulty finding employment. A library area has also been created in the Stadsfabriek which opens in the spring of 2023. Participants can learn more, for example, on budgeting and digital skills during their courses here. In addition, they can also acquire specific skills involved in the employment process via Ozone. Ozone is a program by Metaelectro with whom the Kennemerwaard Public Library now has a partnership.
Informatiepunt Digitale Overheid (IDO)
The open consultation hours for information on the Digitale Overheid have been combined in 2022 with the consultation hours provided by the Taalhuis and individual assistance for basic skills. During these consultation hours, patrons receive help with requests, for example, for a health certificate at the CBR (to obtain a driver’s license), to learn how to apply for a DigiD and if needed, also to practice on the computer there. The open hours were held in eight library branches, but also in various community centers, the Hema and in Jumbo Monique.
Municipality of Alkmaar
411 visitors
Municipality of Bergen
202 visitors
Municipality of Castricum
203 visitors
Municipality of Dijk en Waard (Heerhugowaard)
169 visitors
10th Anniversary - Taalcafé Heerhugowaard
Taalcafé’s 10th anniversary was celebrated in the Heerhugowaard library on Friday 23 September. Alderman John Does emphasized the importance of the Taalcafé in his speech. If we want to give non-native speakers equal opportunities, then the Taalcafé is an important location to learn. They can learn the Dutch language in the Taalcafé in an informal way through conversation, participating in language exercise games, reading, and writing. The Taalcafé is run together with volunteers. Refugees, asylum seekers, but also non-native speakers who now live in the Netherlands come here.