In Monseigneur Doctor H. Poelslaan there is 1 pacesetter who is helped by 9 other residents. They pay a little attention to their neighbors in the street and spring into action when there is Dear or Sad. What do we do that for?
Alderman Marijn van Ballegooijen explains that involvement between neighbors makes you live more pleasantly and even contributes to how happy you are. If you know your neighbors and know that when there is something you can go to them is a great good. For example, it is more difficult for neighbors who are older or have disabilities to maintain contact. A good neighbor is better than a distant friend. Just a chat, a message or lending each other something. You can really make a difference for someone.
Vacations create loneliness
Due to vacations of family and friends, this time can be quite lonely for people. Six tips for keeping in touch with neighbors:
- Wave to your neighbors as you walk by, say good morning or good evening
- Call your neighbors for a chat, or have a cup of coffee (remotely).
- Create a WhatsApp group in your street and keep each other informed.
- Offer to help, water the plants or watch the dog.
- Put a sweet card in the mailbox or place a gift at the door.
- Be alert, are the curtains closed all day with the neighbors? Then ring the doorbell to check that all is well.
And that is exactly what we are doing here on our street. In the first six months, eight cards/flowers were handed out to residents who needed a boost. Two hero wings were also awarded to children in the street who provided an alternative when the Easter egg hunt in Urbanus Park was cancelled due to Corona measures.
RTV Noord-Holland wrote an article about it with a promotional video highlighting Lex Koot.
"The beauty of a Love & Suffering street is that things come unexpectedly."
Lex Koot, ice cream man from Bovenkerk
Become a pacesetter, too?
Meanwhile, have you become enthusiastic and would you also like to join the Lief & Leed initiative? Gangmakers who want to manage a pot can sign up at: liefenleed@amstelveen.nl. They only have to keep the receipts of their actions, which keeps the use of the jar low-threshold.
