Jeanette van Wingaarden was completely surprised when she was chosen as ‘social counselor of the year’. A compliment from her colleagues for her dedication to residents who get stuck in rules and legislation. ‘I want to look beyond a question or problem,’ says the social counselor who works in Charlois.
‘I just do my job and I don’t think I did anything special,’ says Jeanette. ‘The honorary title is a boost of course. The attention also helps to make the work better known. Everyone who needs help must be able to find their way to us.’
The social counselors of the municipality help Rotterdam residents free of charge with all kinds of legal and financial issues. For example, if residents feel unfairly treated by their landlord, employer or institutions such as the Tax Authorities.
Rules and solutions
‘We provide advice and information,’ says Jeanette. ‘About benefits, allowances, problems at work, high rents, debts and consumer issues for example. We think along, explain rules and look for solutions before problems get bigger. Can’t make ends meet? Then we do an income check to see if you are using all the schemes.’
At the team in Charlois, which consists of 4 social counselors, residents mainly come with housing problems. ‘From repairs that are not carried out and mold in the houses to questions about temporary rental contracts. Housing problems play a big role in this neighborhood.’
Personal contact
The counselors also write letters, emails and objections for residents. ‘Not everyone can handle a computer. Then they are greatly helped by this. The nice thing about this work is that you can help people one on one. Our help is practical and very direct. And the personal contact is nice. Often they come to us when they have hit a wall at other institutions. That is why I want to look beyond just the problem or question. Who is the person behind it?’
She continues: ‘The profession itself is also very interesting. The laws and regulations are constantly changing. New things always come along. It is nice that as social counselors we can mean something to residents. And that we are from the municipality does not influence the advice we give. Our support is free and independent. I even see a big advantage. It often succeeds to put things right within the municipality without the need for an objection.’
Contact
If you want to submit a problem to the social counselors, you can go to one of the Vraagwijzers. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab. of the municipality. You can also call 14010.
Want to know more about the social counselors? Then look at rotterdam.nl/sociaal-raadslieden. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab.