Westerwolde introduces divorce support kits for children in local schools
Children in Westerwolde facing parental divorce now have access to support kits and online buddies through a new partnership with Villa Pinedo. The initiative aims to ease emotional strain and reduce future youth care needs for affected families.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Westerwolde |
| Partner Organization | Villa Pinedo |
| Initiative | SCHEID-DOOS (Divorce Box) survival kit for children |
| Support Offered | Online buddies, games, books, and school discussions |
| Schools Visited | De Bonifatius (Ter Apel), OBS Clockeslachen CBS De Zaaier (Vlagtwedde) |
| Availability | End of March 2026 at Westerwolde primary schools |
| Alderman | Wietze Potze (Education) |
The municipality of Westerwolde is responsible for local youth policy and welfare initiatives, ensuring children and families have access to support services. By partnering with Villa Pinedo, the municipality strengthens its role in early intervention for children experiencing parental divorce.
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Westerwolde partners with Villa Pinedo to support children through divorces
The municipality of Westerwolde is collaborating with Villa Pinedo to better support children experiencing a divorce. On March 20, education alderman Wietze Potze visited primary schools De Bonifatius in Ter Apel and OBS Clockeslachen CBS De Zaaier in Vlagtwedde. There, he spoke with students about what it means to have separated parents and presented a survival kit for children of divorced parents. This kit from Villa Pinedo is called the ‘SCHEID-DOOS’ (Divorce Box).
Early support with Villa Pinedo
Every year, many children in the Netherlands experience their parents’ divorce. When help comes too late, this period can be especially difficult. That’s why the municipality of Westerwolde is working with Villa Pinedo, which supports children in a timely manner. Children can turn to Villa Pinedo, for example, for an online buddy—a young volunteer who grew up with separated parents. They listen, share their experiences, and chat with children in the same situation. This gives children recognition and support when they need it most, helping them feel better during and after the divorce. As a result, less youth care is often needed later on.
SCHEID-DOOS
The municipality is also making Villa Pinedo’s SCHEID-DOOS available. This survival kit includes games like VraagMaar! and the book Je hoeft het niet alleen te doen (You Don’t Have to Do It Alone). By the end of March, these boxes will be available for children of divorced parents at primary schools in Westerwolde.
Visit from the alderman
During his visit to the schools, alderman Wietze Potze spoke with students and staff about what helps children when parents separate. Potze said: “A divorce can be very impactful for children. That’s why it’s important to make the topic discussable. If children can indicate early on that they need support, it makes a huge difference. By creating space for this at school, children can share their stories, and parents receive practical tips. This helps prevent problems from escalating.”