Het Schakelpunt
Burg. Patijnlan 1900
2585 CB Den Haag
070 754 13 40

Doctor's station for injections and vaccinations

has moved to dispensing chemist

Nauta,

Bankastraat 60

Tuesday and Thursday 9.00–10.30

Schakelpunt's Open House a lively affair

6 October 2011 – Despite the inclement weather the Open House at the social meeting point for seniors Het Schakelpunt was a lively affair. Visitors of all ages turned up, including grandchildren! Residents from the Borneoflat apartments upstairs, volunteers, neighbours, and representatives from the City Council and other organizations all enjoyed the programme of speeches, presentation of flowers and gifts and of course the glass of wine and snacks. The advocaat (egg nog) with whipped cream in particular went down a treat among the resident seniors!

More photos ...

New lease of life for Schakelpunt

Thursday 6 October is Open House and the official reopening of the social meeting point for senior citizens Het Schakelpunt. The doors will be open between 10.00 12.30 to everyone in the neighbourhood who would like to come and take a look and have a cup of coffee. If you should be an over-55 or someone wanting to help …

then contact Matthias Wenzel, from the social support organization Ouderenwerk Zebra, at 070 424 81 27 or Else Ponsen, member of the working group "Schakelpunt", at else@archipelbuurt.nl or 070 350 57 38

A new start for Het Schakelpunt

Thanks to the efforts of organizations like care provider Florence, Zebra (an organization providing broad social support in three districts of The Hague) and the housing corporation Staedion as well as the A&W Residents Association and a dedicated group of ouderenwerk (help the aged) volunteers, as of 1 September Het Schakelpunt will be open again five mornings a week for all elderly residents living in the Archipel and Willemspark.

The core group of volunteers from Het Schakelpunt (a social meeting point for the elderly) deplored how the elderly residents, through no fault of their own, were suddenly isolated from one another when it closed at the end of 2009. The only option for social contact was the Klokhuis Community Centre several streets away: an impossible distance for some residents.

However, since last September thanks to the dedication of the volunteers the elderly living in the Borneoflat complex (where Het Schakelpunt Care Centre was/is located) have been able to meet in the living room of the concierge at Flat 5. Everyone is most grateful to Staedion for making this possible but demand exceeded supply: the living room could not accommodate all those who wanted to come along for a cup of coffee and a chat.

The new arrangements now mean all elderly residents living in the neighbourhood can join the coffee morning in suitably sized accommodation. Should there be sufficient interest, a meal will be served once or twice a week for €6 (the same price as the evening meal served in the Klokhuis Community Centre on Tuesday evenings). The "armchair gymnastics" sessions that also take place on Tuesdays at the Centre between 11.00 and 12.00 will return to Het Schakelpunt.

Again if the demand is there, other activities such as fashion shows or the sale of shoes or theme afternoons can be organized during the afternoons.

The dedicated group of volunteers would welcome reinforcements with open arms. So if you would like to give something back to the community get in touch with Else Ponsen  at 070 350 57 38 or else@archipelwillemspark.nl . Also contact Else if you would like to join the coffee mornings. For other enquiries contact Matthias Wenzel of Zebra at 070 424 80 00 or Ruud Klein of the A&W Residents Association at 070 350 35 11 or ruud@ archipelwillemspark.nl

Summarised translation of article Een nieuwe leven voor Het Schakelpunt

A&W Community Newspaper June 2010

provided by A&W Webteam

Coffee in Borneoflat 5 offers some comfort

30 August 2010 – With the cooperation of Staedion* and above all thanks to Jan the caretaker of the Borneoflat complex on B. Patijnlaan opposite B. Kolfschotenlaan, the living room of flat 5 has been made available to the residents of the complex. From Monday to Friday between 10.00 and12.00 they now have somewhere to meet to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee together. A group of five volunteers, who were active for the Schakelpunt Care Centre when it was still open, take it in turns to act as hostess. Janneke de Boer, who does shopping for the elderly residents, initiated the idea and other volunteers offered their support. The reopening of the Schakelpunt meeting facility remains an abiding wish for many residents but in the meantime they have found a true friend in their neighbour at number 5.

*A housing corporation providing housing options for people with a low or medium income, vulnerable people, starters and senior citizens.

Source: A&W Community Newspaper, September 2010

Het Schakelpunt: all services disappear

January 2010 – Staedion (housing corporation providing housing options for people with a low or medium income, vulnerable people, starters and senior citizens) informed the residents of Het Schakelpunt Care Centre that the provision of an extremely pared-down day-care service, with the help of volunteers, has now also been withdrawn. Essential services had already disappeared in September and the communal area is now no longer open to the public. It seems that any activities however meagre are no longer financially viable. Volunteers heard on 5 January they were no longer required and were thanked for their support. Many locals are shocked at these developments and intend to attempt to overturn the decision.

Het Schakelpunt: essential services disappear

September 2009 – After 18 years, due to changes in the distribution of subsidies, as of 1 September 2009 the usual day-care services previously provided by paid personnel in Het Schakelpunt Care Centre will no longer available. Psycho-geriatric care has moved to the Oostduin Home for the Elderly and those requiring general nursing home care will have to visit “Op de Laan” Old people’s Home in Zeeheldenkwartier.

In the meantime an inventory is being made of what services are required and what is available. Discussions involving the Council’s OCW (Education, Culture and Welfare Services), Zebra (an organization providing broad social support in three districts of The Hague: Centrum, Schilderswijk and Transvaal), Boog (a charitable organization for community structure), care provider Florence and Staedion (housing corporation providing housing options for people with a low or medium income, vulnerable people, starters and senior citizens) have begun to look into establishing a safety-net programme.

Now that the Schakelpunt Care Centre facility has been closed, the board of the Klokhuis Foundation has kindly offered Borneoflat residents the use of some specific facilities:

Coffe and tea on Mondays to Thursdays between 09.00 and 16.00 and Fridays between 09.00 and 13.00;
3-course meal on Tuesdays at 17.30 (reservations by Monday morning at the latest; call in or ring 07 350 35 11);
Pancakes on Mondays and Fridays between 12.00 and 13.00;
Gymn for 55s and over Mo.
The library formerly available in Schakelpunt has relocated to the Community Centre and officially opens 26 February at 10.00; thereafter every Friday from 10.00 till 11.30.

A brochure with more information about other activities can be found in the meeting room.

If transportation to the Klokhuis is required please contact the Wijkbus: 070 352 04 16.