Projects

 

Knowledge Exchange platforms

In different places around the Netherlands the NUSO started with knowledge exchange programs for playgrounds. These are financially possible due to money of the VSB fonds, Oranje fonds and Jantje Beton.

Knowledge exchange programs are networks of playgrounds volunteers that exchange information. Playground volunteers increasingly have to work independently due to government regulations. An increasing pressure is put on the quality of managing and organizing. Knowledge exchange platforms are an important form of direct and personal support to playgrounds. This is in relation to the character of a lot of playground volunteers; they are hands on people and are interested in each others experiences. In addition, knowledge exchange platforms strengthen relationships between the different playgrounds. In the future the NUSO would like to achieve a national network of 30 platforms in which 350 playgrounds are involved. The NUSO together with the playgrounds decide on a theme for every platform meeting.

Volunteers and difficult children

The aim of this project is to equip volunteers and employers that work with children and young people with the right kills to handle undesired and difficult behaviour of children and young people. From the project originates the training ‘Unsupportive play’, how to handle difficult behaviour’. This training is very accessible and interactive and consists of three afternoons. Prices of this course on request, NUSO members get a discount. This project is financially supported by the ministry of health, welfare and sport.

 

Projects in commission with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

  • 'Playing with rules'
  • Making rules for on the playground and in the neighbourhood.

With this project, which is also financed by ‘Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland, the NUSO wants to make rules and maintain them in practice through simple methods. These rules are made in cooperation with volunteers, parents and children. A safe and social climate has to be created in and around the playground where children feel welcome and respected, where positive contact rules are the starting point and where everyone with undesired behaviour can be corrected.

From research and experience we know that when there is no connection to the neighbourhood and a lack of organisation within the area this can be a risk factor in developing problem behaviour. For this reason, it is necessary that we (young people and adults) correct each other on undesired behaviour.

Volunteers within the playground often have a public task: they contribute to making people aware of social responsibility. How little this may be, they contribute to a safe and social climate within the neighbourhood, by creating an atmosphere within the playground where children feel welcome and accepted, where positive contact rules are the starting point and where everyone can be corrected on undesired behaviour.

Exercising more together. More sport and exercise in the after-school care.

This project was also financially possible due to the VSBfonds.

NUSO, Dutch Institute for Sport and Physical activity (NISB) and the ‘Nederlandse Sport Alliantie’ (NSA) started this project with the goal to have a larger offer of sport and exercise within the neighbourhood. Different research has shown that young people do not move as much anymore and are overweight. At the moment, one in eight children is overweight and in some age groups the number of these children has doubled! Ten in 40.000 children is obese (source: Convenant overgewicht, 2006).

‘Who’z next in de speeltuin’

This project is cooperation between the NUSO and Dutch Institute for Sport and Physical activity (NISB) This project wants to make a translation of the Who’z next program to the playgrounds and with this actively involve young people. More young people as volunteers is necessary. Many playgrounds are traditional. There is often a wish to involve young people but there is no expertise. There is often an atmosphere in which young people do not feel welcome.