The local government of Scherpenheuvel-Zichem launched the Babbelbus on October 2nd. This mobile meeting point and service desk travels through the various sub-municipalities to bring residents together and facilitate access to municipal services, aid, and support.
The bus is equipped as a coffee corner on wheels where residents can freely stop by for coffee, tea, or water, a chat with neighbours, or a listening ear. Simultaneously, the Babbelbus serves as a mobile counter for questions about municipal services, social assistance, leisure activities, and the UiTPAS.
Through this initiative, the administration brings its services literally closer to the residents. The centralization and digitalization of services make it harder for some individuals to find information and support. This particularly affects residents with limited mobility, the elderly, those with long-term illnesses, vulnerable families, non-native speakers, and socially isolated people. The Babbelbus acts as an accessible supplement to existing services.
Tom Dehaene, Deputy for rural policy, emphasizes the importance of community building: “Strong villages arise where people know each other, listen to each other, and find the support they need. With the Babbelbus, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem does not wait for residents to come to the services, but actively goes to the neighbourhoods.”
The Babbelbus is part of the LEADER project ‘Babbelen als strategisch instrument voor het versterken van sociale cohesie’ (Chatting as a strategic instrument for strengthening social cohesion). This project also includes movable comfort chairs at cemeteries and 'chat benches' in neighbourhoods and districts. These initiatives aim to break through loneliness and social isolation, stimulate social connection, and make support more accessible. The project runs until the end of 2027.
Monique Swinnen, chair of LEADER Hageland+, states that the combination of meeting and accessible services aligns perfectly with LEADER's objectives: supporting local solutions that enhance the liveability and social cohesion in rural areas. The project receives €80,842 in subsidies through LEADER Hageland+, funded by the European Union, Flanders, and the province of Flemish Brabant.
During the Week of Resilience, the Babbelbus will visit five locations in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem from October 2nd to October 10th: GC den Egger (Scherpenheuvel) on October 2nd at 2 PM, parking at the church and hall Concordia (Testelt) on October 3rd at 3 PM, Sint-Jansplein (Averbode) on October 6th from 2 PM, De Keyt (Messelbroek) on October 8th at 3 PM, and De Hemmekes (Zichem) on October 10th from 2 PM to 5 PM.
