Flea market and neighborhood party coming up, Sint-Mathildis remains a ‘Caring Neighborhood’ (Boechout)

The Flemish government rewards residential care center Sint-Mathildis van Boechout for the third time with subsidies for the project Caring Neighborhood. With the support, Sint-Mathildis should grow even more into a meeting place for its residents and the neighborhood.

The project Caring Neighborhood of the Flemish Care Department started in 2022. Sint-Mathildis in Boechout was one of the 133 neighborhoods that received subsidies to bring people from the neighborhood together. “At Sint-Mathildis we work on an island within the municipality, while we have many opportunities to connect and bring people together,” neighborhood coach Naomi Verlinden outlined the initial situation.

Two years ago, a neighborhood analysis began. Last year the project was able to continue with the opening of a neighborhood restaurant for people over 65, the first edition of a neighborhood party and Sint-Mathildis holds a monthly coffee moment together with the Protestant Church.

Support

For 2024, Flanders will provide a subsidy of 28,000 euros for the deployment of personnel within the project. The cost of municipal support and services for this operation is compensated by the municipality with a nominal subsidy of 10,000 euros.

“The board strongly believes in neighborhood networks, in which people know each other and can help each other. We have been investing in our neighborhood platform Hoplr for about five years. On that platform, 118 people have already indicated that they can occasionally do something for their neighbors. This ranges from running a simple errand to driving your neighbor to the doctor. Of Caring Neighborhood Saint Mathilde extends his hand to his neighbors. They get to know the WZC and vice versa,” says Mayor Koen T’Sijen (Pro Boechout-Vremde).

Sint-Mathildis therefore holds its annual flea market in the garden on Saturday, April 20. The neighborhood party will follow in September. (fisp)