Joining hands for the complex VG
Since my first day at EHdK, together with my colleague Jenneke, I have been supporting four motivated VG organizations in the north of the Netherlands. These organizations have to deal with labor shortages, an increasing care load and tight budgetary frameworks. They are in a sector that is under enormous pressure, namely the care for the mentally disabled (also known as the VG sector). The Vereniging Gehandicaptenzorg Nederland (VGN) states that there is a “dark cloud scenario. That is why they are now joining forces to jointly improve care and support for the most complex VGG target group, with the aim of keeping care for a very vulnerable target group future-proof together.
Meanwhile, the organizations have realized an expertise network VG & Addiction, a training program Motivational Interviewing VG & Addiction, an abbreviated lateral entry trajectory for the VG & Addiction groups as well as an alternative for secondment agencies (FAIR Noord Nederland). We are also currently working on a number of joint solutions for clients with VG combined with psychological vulnerability. Together with Jenneke we support these organizations, and I am secretly quite proud of what these parties have achieved in two years.
On a work visit in disability care
In disability care, as in the rest of health care, abbreviations fly around your ears (VG, ZZP, MVG). But really knowing who those clients are and who is there for them day in and day out? I didn’t know. To better understand for whom we are trying to get all these innovations, collaborations and improvements off the ground – the client – De Zijlen invited us for a working visit. This is one of the collaborating partners in the VG project in the Northern Netherlands.
Together with some colleagues, I visited a day care workshop and a residential location for the most complex clients with difficult to understand behavior (MVG). Both locations demand something different from the professionals, but both places work with love, patience and drive. The effect of stability, the same faces and expertise in dealing with complex behavior makes a world of difference for this vulnerable group. And that was wonderful to witness up close. Every VG client deserves such treatment if you ask me. Now that I have seen the impact of these kinds of projects on the clients, I feel even more connected to the work I do for this as a consultant.
With full courage
These clients and professionals are the reason why I want to be even more committed to this vulnerable target group in the coming years. I am convinced that cooperation between all parties involved is essential to make and keep care and support in the VG sector future-proof. By sharing experiences and expertise with each other and strengthening each other in this, we can actually take steps forward.
Are you curious about what exactly we do in the VG sector, or would you like to know what it’s like to work as a young consultant in the health care industry? If so, feel free to contact me!
Until the next blog!
Greetings,
Noor
