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Mission

Westhoek Vrijetijd Anders wants to

  • promote the quality of life of vulnerable target groups (children, young people and adults with a (presumed) disability and others who need support;
  • to organise, guide and support, especially in the field of leisure time;
  • enabling high quality and diverse leisure time through volunteering and citizenship;
  • sensitising and shaping the regular environment (organisations, associations, local authorities, schools, etc.);
  • thus helping to create a warm, inclusive society.

Vision and outlines

The activities of WVA and the actions and attitudes of staff and volunteers are guided by 10 key principles:

  1. Autonomy in connectedness: Everyone would like to make their own choices as much as possible in various areas of life. Your question is our starting point and that is how we go about things. Nevertheless, we also like to do things together and we have to make some agreements as a group, so that everyone feels good and involved.
  2. Embrace the difference: We will not problematise differences between people, but look at them positively and use them as an enormous asset. We set up individual programmes and within group work we make as much room as possible for different people with different talents and inclinations. Always with respect for the individuality of the person.
  3. Navigating the continuum between inclusive and exclusive: Because everyone is entitled to his or her safe and hospitable place in the leisure offer, we try to work inclusive where possible, but also exclusive where necessary. Therefore, we choose both to connect with the regular supply and to create our own specific supply. Users can choose and move freely.
  4. With daring participation: People with a disability want to have a say and take responsibility for things in their field of interest. It is up to us to dare to find out together with them what suits them and to stimulate and support them in this at their pace.
  5. Explorative and permanent learning: People and society are dynamic and in full motion. Our organisation also wants to move and grow. Our employees and volunteers give shape to this in an exploratory way and are actors in a permanent learning process.
  6. Open and direct communication: Providing direct and clear information and feedback to all stakeholders in our organisation and in all directions is the appropriate communication style. There is respect for everyone's opinion. We handle sensitive information discreetly and in the right context.
  7. Caring and creative entrepreneurship: As a small organisation with an ambitious social mission, entrepreneurship is needed in all parts of our organisation in order to grow. Volunteers and employees are challenged to be creative and think 'out of the box', so that growth becomes possible. At the same time, care for the most vulnerable clients remains strong.
  8. Dreaming-thinking-daring-doing-pursuing as a project model: We apply this creative project model to our staff, our volunteers and our users.
  9. Sustainable, ecological and frugal thinking and acting: In our purchases, investments and projects, we always look for sustainable, affordable and environment-friendly solutions.
  10. Investing in solution-oriented cooperation: As a small organisation, we are open to various forms of cooperation that help us achieve our mission. In the broad field of cultural, sporting, youth, welfare and tourist partners in the Westhoek, we invest in getting to know them and we always look for solution-oriented co-creations within our mission.