The coronavirus crisis threw our lives into disarray. Together, we joined forces to help strengthen the resilience of Brussels residents. 'Brussels helps' brought 2000 volunteers together with 500 people requesting help. Community centres and day care centres opened their (outdoor) spaces. Schools and organizations adjusted their operations in order to better meet social needs.
Brussels at its best during the coronavirus crisis
Brussels at its best during the coronavirus crisis
Brussels residents asked for and offered each other help: that was the aim of “Brussels helps” during the first lockdown. Together with Brussels partners, the VGC lent its support to this project.
Going to school during times of coronavirus
© Digital For Youth
Going to school during times of coronavirus
During the lockdown children could not go to school for quite a long time. Teachers suddenly had to switch to online teaching. And when the schools were able to partly reopen , they also had to get used to working with bubbles, face masks and hand sanitizer.
First aid for resilience
© LDC ADO Icarus
First aid for resilience
With a 'First Aid for Resilience' box, Logo Brussel did everything in its power to strengthen resilience. Municipalities, day care centres, care homes, local service centres, community centres and schools were given a box.
Childcare centres open up outdoor spaces as playgrounds
Childcare centres open up outdoor spaces as playgrounds
A testimony of Anne Lambrechts, coordinator of the Elmer child care centre.
Brussels citizens explain corona measures in several languages
Brussels citizens explain corona measures in several languages
Brussels residents with a wide range of different backgrounds explained the coronavirus measures in a short film, recorded a motivational message and showed the way to find social services. Twenty short films were distributed, including in Portuguese, Turkish, Arabic, Amharic, Urdu and Chinese.
Tess made drawings for residents of the Nuance care home
© Tess
Tess made drawings for residents of the Nuance care home
Tess is 8 years old and lives in Vorst/Forest. During the spring lockdown, she could not go to school. But she took part in “Brussels helps” and drew pictures for the residents of the Nuance care home.
Coronaproofing the playgroups
© Lander Loeckx
Coronaproofing the playgroups
The playgroups continued through 2020! Although in small bubbles, with litres of hand sanitizer, lots of face masks and sometimes with a separate entrance for each bubble.
Solidarity all around in the community centres
Solidarity all around in the community centres
During the first lockdown the community centres adapted their way of working at lightning speed. They played a key role for local partners, volunteers and other VGC services and joined forces with Brussels helps and Connecting Brussels.
Manuela played music for people with disabilities
© Sylvano
Manuela played music for people with disabilities
Trough 'Brussels helps', non profit association Hubbie searched for musicians to play music for their residents.
Everyone in shape !
Everyone in shape !
The VGC Sports Service organised a wide range of activities during lockdown for people to help them stay in shape.
Services for people in vulnerable situations
© Kristina Tripkovic - Unsplash
Services for people in vulnerable situations
The pandemic has affected each of us, but especially Brussels residents living in poverty or with a difficult family situation. Many organisations have been working hard on structural ways to mitigate the social impact of the crisis.
Child care remains open during lockdown
© Lies Engelen
Child care remains open during lockdown
The whole country was in lockdown, but child care remained open.
Toon did errands for vzw Hubbie
Toon did errands for vzw Hubbie
When Toon Wauters became unemployed for technical reasons, he started as a volunteer for the Hubbie non-profit association.
Lockdown, but not for after-school day care
Lockdown, but not for after-school day care
A testimony of Geert Meys en Koen Rijks from IBO De Buiteling (after-school day care initiative).