EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Stimulating Social Activation

Stimulating Social Activation - Helmond Actief

Introduction

Stimulating social activation within the "toughest-case" category of unemployed citizens in the Helmond inner-city district Binnenstad-Oost. The case manager supports the clients in realising their individual wants and needs in terms of social participation. It is an individual approach that works.

Problem

How do we promote the social participation and integration of the group of unemployed citizens who are the most difficult to find jobs for, the "stage-4 clients"?

Description

The project is aimed as "stage-4 clients" in the Helmond inner-city district. This refers to the group of unemployed citizens who are the most difficult to find jobs for as they often cope with various problems at the same time. Some are addicted, divorced, unemployed, homeless, broke, or have legal problems. Helmond Actief tackles all of these problems at once.

Together with the client, the personal case manager looks for resources that may help manage the main sticking points as it regards social participation. This way the individual participation needs of the candidate can be turned into a realistic participation perspective.

Approach

Helmond Actief distinguishes between thee ways of stimulating social activity: in the job market, within society and in terms of care. The latter usually goes hand in hand with one of the former two. A positive future perspective proves to be a good motivator to also handle personal issues. Furthermore, Helmond Actief works according to the principle of double activation, meaning that it stimulates both the candidate and his or her social environment.

The job consultant monitors the development, implementation and support of the entire plan. The implementation and execution are often done in collaboration with other organisations and individuals.

Results

Over the past two years, 183 people have been succesfully helped. Half of this group is currently employed.
A number of people have only managed to arrange for care and social aid. For these people, who had addiction issues and psychological problems, this was the best that could be done.
Remarkably, there was a high positive dropout rate of people who reported they were moving or moving in with someone.
The negative dropout rate of people who did not manage to solve their problems within the 18-month term that was set was 20%, which is well below the national average.

Contact info

Municipality of Helmond
B. van de Berg (communications officer), tel. +31 49 2587732

Contact info

Fontys University of applied sciences
R. Kersten (project manager), tel. +31 87 7875972

Project start date

01/08/2001

Links

Municipality of Helmond (in Dutch)Fontys University of applied sciences

Helmond Actief (PDF, Dut, 237 KB)

Direct Werk, Helmond Actief (PDF, Dut, 1.7 MB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation