Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Social House in Ostend stopped using volunteers after aggression cases, causing chaos. Alderman Sandra Demunck (N-VA) prioritizes safety, while Hina Bhatti (Trots op Oostende) criticizes the situation. No return date for volunteers yet.
The Social House in Ostend is facing challenges in its reception area. Volunteers are no longer helping visitors because of some aggressive incidents. According to officials, visitors are having trouble finding their way around and understanding the system, which could lead to longer waiting times and confusion in the entrance hall.
The volunteers used to help visitors find their way around the building and get tickets for their appointments. Officials mentioned that many people who visit the Social House are already in difficult situations, so having volunteers makes it easier for them to get the help they need.
“It is a temporary measure after those cases of aggression,”
Says Alderman for Work and Activation Sandra Demunck (N-VA).
Is Ostend social house coping without volunteers?
According to Alderman Sandra Demunck, the lack of volunteers is causing problems. But she said safety is the most important thing. The decision to stop using volunteers was difficult, but it was necessary to protect the volunteers and everyone else at the Social House.
She mentioned that it’s not clear when volunteers will return, but the situation is being monitored closely. If the lack of volunteers continues to cause problems, other solutions may be considered. She said that for now, visitors will have to rely on staff or other resources for help, but this could put more pressure on employees and make things even harder.
Council member Hina Bhatti criticized the situation at the Social House, calling it chaotic. She says the lack of volunteers is making things very difficult for both visitors and staff. Reception employees, who usually work behind glass, now have to leave their desks to help people. She mentioned that this extra work is disrupting their normal tasks and making it harder to manage the reception area.
Hina Bhatti (Trots op Oostende) says.
“The reception staff, who work behind glass, have to constantly come out of their cubicle to give explanations.”
According to Alderman Sandra Demunck, a safe solution is being worked on. She acknowledged the problems caused by the decision but said that the most important thing is to make sure volunteers and staff are safe. Demunck said they will see how things go and that the goal is to bring volunteers back to the reception area.
Volunteers at the town hall reception in Ostend are still working. She mentioned that the safety concerns at the Social House are specific to that location and the incidents of aggression that happened there.
Alderman Demunck says.
“We will see how everything goes. The intention is for the volunteers to return to reception. But I cannot put a date on that yet.”
