Sounding board group reception ship COA Hellevoetsluis

Opening:

COA's Site Manager opened the meeting and welcomed everyone aboard De Alessia North Shelter Hellevoetsluis.

Introductions:

All present introduced themselves.

State of Affairs:

The Alessia houses about 140 residents of about 20 different nationalities. To ensure that they become familiar with the Dutch language and culture as quickly as possible, Dutch language lessons are given by a regular NT2 teacher. 4 Volunteers have joined this program, a 5th will start in January. Language buddies are involved in which our residents receive 1 on 1 Dutch lessons. Activities such as swimming lessons, gym and running group have been started. There are also residents working for River Roots (e.g. Cleaning). 

For labor market approach, an employee of the municipality of Voorne aan Zee comes twice a week to help residents create a resume and cover letters. He visits companies with the residents. Some residents have now found paid work. The municipality also provides workshops (e.g. Cultural differences). There are residents waiting for a bsn.

There is no opportunity for residents to cook for themselves. On other ships, this may be the case. River Roots provides the meals in Hellevoetsluis. The languages on the ship are Dutch and English, residents interpret for each other when necessary. An external interpreter is called in for official conversations.

Sounding Board:

Is there good representation for the Sounding Board now?
Those present seem to be a good representation of the area for now. Someone from VVE could possibly join. They can pass on questions from the neighborhood to COA or the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee. Next meeting the neighborhood police officer should be present. It is agreed that a meeting will be held once every 3 months.

Safety:

Security is present on the ship 24/7. In case of incidents, security is asked to handle this, when this fails the police/112 is called. There is also always contact with COA's on-call service, in addition there is good consultation with the BOAs and Police.
Generally there are small incidents where COA talks with the resident and where necessary a measure is imposed. For larger incidents, a Time Out can be arranged. These incidents occurred on the ship. In the start-up period there were some incidents, some of these residents were transferred. It is indicated that when you put different nationalities together, everyone has to get used to the new situation, but many of the residents are grateful to be allowed to stay here.

One attendee believes that not everyone fled to the Netherlands with the best of intentions and there can always be troublemakers among them.

One of the attendees manages to relate that there was more unrest on one of the previous ships; she suspects this was because the residents knew they would not be staying in Hellevoetsluis for long. Another indicates that in some places in her hometown there is nuisance from loitering youth.

When there are free beds, COA placement will consider which residents can be placed. No children may be placed on the vessels due to danger of drowning. When the ratio of men to women is not balanced, only men are chosen. Ultimately, the safety of local residents, residents, crew and staff is number one.

Set new meeting:

At the request of attendees please before March 10 due to vacations.

Round questions/communications:

• One of those present said that they felt misled by the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee about placing an asylum seeker ship in Hellevoetsluis. The ship is located too close to the new houses on the Veerhaven, as a result of which people will experience noise pollution.
  Answer: noise measurements are being carried out by the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee. COA is in favor of an AZC, unfortunately this was not possible.
• One attendee indicated that the Council of Voorne aan Zee has said, there will be no new ship in Hellevoetsluis.
• One attendee said he was critical; it was indicated that this very thing was appreciated.
• At Canal Road West Side 1 through 19, odor nuisance from the sewer is experienced during heavy and prolonged rainfall. This nuisance has also occurred during the period of the previous collection vessel. Is this due to over-pumping of the sanitary from the vessel to the free-fall sewer and can this be remedied, for example, by more phased over-pumping so that the capacity of the sewer can better handle it. Municipality of Voorne aan Zee is picking this up.
• There is a demand to share activities so that the area is more involved with our residents and can get to know each other in a fun way. 
• After the minutes were circulated, 2 comments were received that we would like to bring to the next meeting.
• Around the Christmas period, again this year, for a period of four weeks, a reception ship from Krimpen aan den IJssel will come to Hellevoetsluis. This ship will dock at the lighthouse.

Closure:

The meeting will close at 9 p.m.