Charity is the basis and the source of inspiration of this organization. This means that every person deserves attention and (if necessary) care and support. With the SchuldHulpMaatje approach, the organization wants to make a structural contribution to solving the increasing debt problem. This approach, which is supplementary to regular debt assistance, is based on cooperation with governments and social organizations.

Early support

Director/administrator Peter Rijsdijk from SchuldHulpMaatje: “On average, it takes five years before people seek help with resolving their debt problems. Shame and anxiety – and many other worries – often prevent them from doing this. In the meantime, their debts continue to grow due to collection fees and final demands. That’s why early support is so important. To do this, we first need to find them.”

Low-key walk-in sessions

“In 2024, we started organizing more low-key walk-in sessions in neighborhoods where financial struggles are most common. People can drop in to these ‘paper cafes’ without an appointment, bringing their forms, bills or complicated letters, or just for a cup of coffee. We notice that people are often wary of organizations and government.”

“By just having a coffee together, we start working on building up trust. One woman visited six times before she asked my colleague: ‘So, you’re really not going to take my children away?’ It was only after this that she started to open up about her situation.”