Introduction: Anita van Bijnen has been working at Springplank since January 2024, here she does mail distribution for homeless people. She started on Vissersstraat and now works on Fuutlaan since 17 June.
Daily Tasks Anita's working day starts with processing postal addresses for homeless people approved by the municipality. She creates mailboxes and sorts the mail as soon as it arrives. Homeless people have to report weekly and Anita keeps track of who has been there.
Challenges and Solutions Sometimes something goes wrong with the lists or digital systems, but Anita and her colleagues make sure everything works out in the end. She stresses the importance of communication, especially when people cannot attend due to circumstances.
Role and Impact Anita acts as the first point of contact at Springplank. She answers phone calls and directs them to the appropriate departments. She keeps lists, cleans up mail and processes questionnaires from homeless people. These lists are sent to the municipality and put into the client system.
Changes and Benefits The new location on Grebe Avenue is more open and fresh than the old location on Vissersstraat. This lowers the threshold for homeless people to come in. People can quickly collect their mail without having to deal with the walk-in. Anita notes: “It's more open here. It looks fresher anyway.”
Personal Approach Anita tries not to be judgmental and is always ready to listen. “I have no judgment. Often people do tell their stories.” She finds that people often want to tell their stories and tries to be a social point for visitors. She gives an example of a man who found a job thanks to her encouragement. “Why not take matters into your own hands and just apply for jobs? No you have and yes you can get.”
Conclusion Anita sees her work as a way to make a difference, however small. “I am always just friendly and nice to people.” She enjoys interacting with people and enjoys seeing how some improve their lives. Despite the challenges, she remains positive and committed to her work.
