Frenk remains active despite setbacks
The Development Center provides Kerkrade residents looking for work with opportunities to get back to work. This takes place in various places within the municipality of Kerkrade. One of those places is the Elisabeth Stift, a residential complex for the elderly. Frenk (51) has been one of the support volunteers there since January. "Don't get hung up, that won't help you," he said.
"Since January of this year, I have been working at the Stift twice a week. I Health for ordering groceries, preparing meals and social contact with the residents. The residents do not have their own kitchen. Therefore, many people participate in the meal service. Some residents do their own shopping, but there are also plenty who let us order it. I Health then make sure everyone fills out the lists and that the order is complete. It's fun and useful work to do.
It is also a friendly club here. Because I have long covid, I lost my job and am now on welfare. Working at the Stift brings me among people and keeps me active. We drink coffee together, chat and also support each other as colleagues. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible for me to think about paid work. The fatigue, concentration problems and nausea get in my way too often. Eventually I certainly hope to move on to a regular job again. Many people have their opinions ready about someone on welfare. They have no idea what is going on in such a case. What I have, I really don't begrudge anyone. But I still have to move on. And this work-study program helps me with that. To anyone going through something similar I would say: don't get hung up, that won't help you."