There is always room for a chat at neighbor Annemieke’s: 'You take care of each other'

Annemieke van der Graaf, a 67-year-old resident of Betondorp in Amsterdam, has become a central figure in fostering community connections within her neighborhood. Through initiatives such as a local plant library, an open garden day, and the reintroduction of the BuurtBankje—a front-door bench serving as a social meeting point—she encourages residents to interact and support one another. These efforts are particularly significant in combating loneliness among the elderly, especially following recent neighborhood renovations that displaced many long-term inhabitants.

Annemieke’s commitment to community building stems from her professional background in social work and her own personal experiences with receiving help from neighbors after suffering a brain injury. She emphasizes that these connections are more than just casual interactions; they form a vital support network that helps residents look out for one another during difficult times. By creating spaces for shared activities and mutual assistance, she believes she is strengthening the resilience of her neighborhood against isolation and uncertainty.