80 Years Mervielde: how Het Groene Anker was able to grow thanks to your support
To mark our 80th anniversary, we chose to support two social initiatives that perfectly align with Mervielde’s values. One of these causes is Het Groene Anker, a welcoming care farm in Kluizen (Evergem) where nature, animals and people enrich one another.
Almost one year later, we paid a visit to find out what that support has made possible.
A place where ‘experiencing’ and ‘enjoying’ take centre stage
Anyone visiting Het Groene Anker immediately realizes that it’s more than just a care farm. It is a place where people can find peace and tranquillity, and where nature, animals and care come together in a natural way.
Over the past few years, founders Isabelle and Jeroen have, step by step, built a warm and welcoming environment where everyone is welcome, regardless of their background or disability.
Isabelle explains: ’At Het Groene Anker, it’s all about the experience. We want to create a place where people can be themselves, where care and connection are central and where everyone feels at home. Nature and the animals help with this in a special way.’
From Monday to Friday, care residents from Voluit vzw help out on the farm. Every day, up to thirteen participants with a physical disability and/or a suspected mental disability are actively involved in looking after the animals and maintaining the vegetable garden. Everyone brings their own talents, challenges and story to the table.
As well as its care services, the farm also welcomes visitors and groups. They can enjoy the pick-your-own garden, a visit to the community room, walks with alpacas, team-building activities and a host of other activities.
Source image left: Het Groene Anker
An investment in independence and structure
Thanks to the donation of €11,790, Het Groene Anker was able to invest in additional equipment and improve the organization of the vegetable garden, which is maintained entirely by the care residents of Voluit vzw.
With this support, a storage container was purchased and placed close to the vegetable garden. It has been fitted out with practical storage systems and high-quality equipment used exclusively for garden maintenance.
As a result, the care residents now have their own tools and equipment, including a lawnmower, a shredder, rakes, spades, nets and various battery-powered tools.
’Thanks to this investment, our care residents now have their own workspace and their own equipment,’ explains Jeroen. It may seem like a small difference, but it provides greater clarity and independence. We see just how valuable that is every day.’
What’s more, the produce from the vegetable garden is used directly on the care farm: the care residents themselves turn the vegetables grown there into fresh soup, which they enjoy together during their days on the farm.
Thanks to all the volunteers and generous donors
Het Groene Anker could not function as it does today without the dedication of its volunteers. They help with day-to-day operations, provide support in the community room and the pick-your-own garden, carry out maintenance and cleaning, or work behind the scenes on communication and organization.
Jeroen and Isabelle therefore wish to express their sincere appreciation to everyone who volunteers: ‘Het Groene Anker is the result of a joint effort. The commitment of our volunteers is invaluable.’
The Mervielde family would like to thank once again everyone who contributed to this anniversary initiative. Thanks to this collective support, Het Groene Anker now has additional opportunities to offer its (care) guests a warm and inspiring environment.
Together, that’s how we flow!
Site: www.hetgroeneanker.be