Raising concerns about a local resident
Deliverers see a lot of what happens in the neighbourhoods where they deliver mail and parcels. Sometimes they may feel that something isn’t quite right with someone: a person shows confused behaviour, curtains stay closed all day, or mail piles up on the doormat. These are not reasons to call 112 straight away, but it might be good if someone checks in and asks how things are going. Deliverers can voluntarily and anonymously report their concerns about a resident to a local welfare organisation via “Ik maak me zorgen”.
1,000 reports
So far, no fewer than 1,000 reports have been made, and welfare organisations in 318 municipalities are now connected. That’s over 90% of municipalities in the Netherlands. Over the coming year, we will expand to even more municipalities, so our deliverers can make a difference in even more places.
How does it work?
Deliverers can make a report in their Mijn Werk app, via a form on the PostNL intranet, or by scanning the QR code on a special sticker in their delivery van. They provide the postcode, house number and reason for the report. The report is anonymous and goes to a local welfare organisation, which then investigates whether help is needed.
Facts and figures
- 95% of deliverers feel connected to the neighbourhood where they work
- 70% of deliverers have at some point been concerned about a resident
- 90% of Dutch municipalities are already connected
Open to help
A welfare organisation visited a resident after a report from a deliverer. They found a young woman who looked visibly unkempt, and her home was in a poor state, with empty beer cans scattered across the floor.
When told that someone had been worried about her and had shared those concerns, she was deeply moved. She cried, explained she had no one, and could hardly believe that someone cared about her. She said she was grateful the welfare workers had come and that she was open to receiving help. That willingness to accept help, however small the first step may be, often marks a crucial turning point.