A Participatory Action Research (PAR) aimed at realizing a happy and healthy neighborhood with residents and other stakeholders in Moerwijk.
From the findings of this PAR, six themes emerged: Sense of life in the neighborhood, social cohesion, housing, safety and living environment, health, development of residents, and functioning and collaboration of organizations. Out of the 27 proposed solutions mentioned during the discussions, 5 were jointly chosen for further development.
Residents in Moerwijk felt heard and empowered. During and after the action research, more initiatives emerged in the neighborhood, such as:
Several seniors started a vitality club with the support of a sports coach.
A number of parents in the neighborhood were connected with a chef in the neighborhood. A course called “little chefs” has been developed to cook with children, with a focus on food knowledge. The intention is for mothers to eventually lead this course themselves.
Mothers are in the process of establishing mother groups in various places in the neighborhood with the support of the residents’ cooperative. During these group meetings, they also develop more activities for children in the neighborhood.
During the action research, there was a request from the neighborhood itself from residents and community builders to train residents and professionals in the neighborhood together in participatory action research (PAR). This training will start soon.
Plans were already in place within the neighborhood for a new health center. To make this an accessible community center, action research was initiated to work with the neighborhood to determine how it should be designed and furnished.
Both within the neighborhood and at the municipality, on the LUMC Campus, and among parties within Happy and Healthy The Hague (GGDH), the method of Participatory Action Research was seen as valuable. Following this PAR, we have been asked from GGDH to continue this action research, with a special focus on (single) parents in Moerwijk experiencing complex mental health issues.
