Care for each other: help for people with money worries
Every activity organized by Samen voor Eindhoven contributes to one or more Global Goals (sustainable goals) of the UN. For example, Global Goal 1 is about halving the number of people living below the poverty line. Together with involved companies and non-profits we dedicate ourselves to vulnerable people. Poverty is often not visible. Someone close to you may have financial worries without you knowing it. Did you know that one in 13 children in the Netherlands grows up in poverty? Shame is often a major barrier in seeking help if you have money worries.
Citywide initiative
In the new city-wide collaboration with the Partner Fund Brainport Eindhoven, Impact040 worked on the 'poverty and money worries' program. Among other things, Samen voor Eindhoven facilitated the design sessions to get the concrete question on the table and ensured that corporate volunteers were trained and facilitated. The Partner Fund Brainport Eindhoven aims to sustainably improve the lives of residents in the Brainport region who are struggling. Impact040 wants to ensure that social initiatives know how to find each other and complement each other, but especially also know how to find the business community. Business, institutions and government can reinforce each other.
Corporate volunteers from DELA, DLL, Rabobank, PwC and Eindhoven Airport supported people struggling with money worries November 30 to December 16, 2021 (during the annual "peak weeks"). Together they looked at taking out collective health insurance from the municipality. Every year there are hundreds of residents who have difficulty with the digital application for collective health insurance. Residents also want to know if they are eligible for this insurance and what the benefit is. After all, a premium discount can make a big impact.
"If I save €12 a month, for me that means I can buy 3 more loaves of bread for my family."
A team of communication specialists from our involved partner DLL developed the campaign "Take care of yourself - Save on your health insurance!". Residents of Brainport Eindhoven were invited by posters, flyers and via social media to walk-in days in community centers during which corporate volunteers helped them take out collective health insurance. Almost always, encounters during (skills-based) volunteering are life-changing. Coming out of your bubble gives the volunteer valuable insights and understanding of the social issue.
"It was fun and very enriching to help people with questions about their health insurance." (Corporate volunteer Michelle from Eindhoven Airport)
It is our dream to create a movement where employees use their talent, knowledge or hands for a closer society in which everyone can participate. We made the citywide initiative "Take care of yourself - Save on your health insurance!" possible with Partnerfonds Brainport Eindhoven, Impact040, Lumens, Vrijwillige Hulpdienst Eindhoven, Werkplaats Financiën XL and Gemeente Eindhoven.
