On Thursday morning, September 4rd, over 100 people attended the open house morning organized by Stadlander and Thuiszorg West-Brabant (TWB) at Zonneplein in Bergen op Zoom. At this location, the parties are jointly repurposing a former meeting space for local residents. Interested neighbors were given the opportunity to preview the building and meet TWB's healthcare professionals. This opportunity was gratefully and frequently accepted. Construction is still in full swing. The building will be ready for occupancy at the end of November.

We are jointly responsible for a healthy neighborhood
The Zonneplein space will be a place where living, well-being, and care converge. Paul Huijsdens, director of Stadlander: "This is a unique collaboration that ensures that care and support are a little closer for residents. The meeting room is a place where our tenants and their neighbors from Warande can come together, for an activity or just to chat. It's also a place where residents can get advice, tips, and support to continue living independently for longer. We're pleased that we've found a tenant in TWB who is taking this on." The renovation is still in progress, but I am already proud of what is here,” says Paul Huijsdens.

Living in the neighborhood is changing
Director Ruud Dijkers adds: “Neighborhood living is changing. With the current challenges in healthcare, we're all living at home longer, and we could certainly use a little help with that now and then. In the coming years, more people will need good care, while there's a shortage of care staff. That's why TWB is increasingly looking for ways to organize care differently. We do this together and for each other. We work closely with neighborhood residents, the municipality of Bergen op Zoom, and other welfare and healthcare organizations. This way, we're developing an environment where residents of Warande can come together and care for each other. At the same time, this is the place where TWB colleagues and employees of the Gageldonk & Warande Neighborhood Team find their work in the neighborhood. We expect more partners to join in the future.”

A new place, a new name
During the morning, both board members also unveiled the building's new name, MEROPE. The name Merope refers to the Meropepad, the path that runs between the two apartment buildings on Plejadenlaan. Merope is also a star in the Pleiades solar system. It represents connection, light, and direction. For both organizations, it also represents the Brabantian translation of "Meer Open" (More Open). Paul Huijsdens concluded: "Because in the coming years, the meeting space at Zonneplein can be open very often!"