Claudia is in her place at the Swap Shop
The Development Center provides Kerkrade residents looking for work with opportunities to get back to work. This happens in various places within the municipality of Kerkrade. One of these places is the Swap Shop in the Flexiforum. Claudia (58) restocks there, hangs clothes neatly and has a chat here and there. "My life is very different from before. Now I have a lot more social contacts."
Claudia brings cheerfulness and energy to her work days at the Swap Shop in the Flexiforum. After quite a few difficult years, she has completely blossomed in the warm and welcoming workplace.
"My job here at the Swap Shop is to take care of the clothing stock in the store. From the warehouse, I bring everything to the racks, and I sort the clothes by size and color. I love it when everything looks neat and tidy in the store. It really gives me energy.
Fifteen years ago, I divorced my husband and ended up on welfare with three small children. Later, I had a brain hemorrhage and a bowel disease. Unfortunately, because of these conditions, I was unable to work for a long time, even when my children were older. I did have a nice job cleaning a movie theater for a while. I really liked it there, I had my own routine and knew where to find everything. But unfortunately it became too physically demanding.
The work I do now at the Swap Shop is less demanding. I am also much more flexible in the arrangement of my days. This way I can divide my energy better. I really enjoy it. My supervisor is very understanding and nice to deal with. I can stay here with my benefits for the time being. We have a nice team here. What I would really like is to expand my knowledge. I would like to learn to operate the cash register as well.
I really like the contact with people. Regular customers actually come to see me. They come especially on Tuesday afternoons for a chat and the latest clothes. My life is very different from before. Back then I was always at home, working all day with the household and the children. Now I have many more social contacts. To anyone who gets a chance to do this, I would say: don't stay between four walls, just try it. It can change your life."