Photo from Jumbo.nl
About 50 % of older persons feel lonely in the Netherlands, a fact that triggered a national action plan to fight loneliness. This inspired the Dutch local supermarket chain in Vlijmen to launch two popular initiatives, namely a “Chat Checkout”, consisting of dedicating a checkout counter to chat with customers and a “All Together Coffee Corner”, where supermarket staff is available for a chat. Supermarkets also work together with volunteers to always have someone available to check out on the mood of the customers.
The foundation behind this initiative is called “Alles voor Mekaar”. The aim is also not to stop at the supermarket counter, but to create a relationship and to have visits with older persons living alone.
