When clicking the language function, a connection with Google is established and your personal data is forwarded to Google!

Reset language

New "Swapbox" in the cemetery district: sustainability meets neighbourhood

The new swap box was officially opened in the Friedhofsviertel neighbourhood at the weekend. Numerous residents of the neighbourhood met at the neighbourhood meeting point to get to know the new service. The opening was accompanied by a colourful programme with coffee and cake, face painting and play stations for children and young people.

Celebrating the opening of the swap box were (from left): Elisabeth Kroesen (Deputy Mayor), Jutta Ehlting (former Head of the Senior Citizens' Office), Andrea Unland (Leben im Alter e.V.), Christian Tewiele (Head of the Pension, Senior Citizens, Care and Volunteering Division), Sarah Bußmann (Pension, Senior Citizens, Care and Volunteering Division), Sangita Popat (Federal Working Group of Senior Citizens' Offices) and Franz-Ludwig Blömker (Federal Working Group of Senior Citizens' Offices).

Celebrating the opening of the swap box (from left): Elisabeth Kroesen (Deputy Mayor), Jutta Ehlting (Leben im Alter e.V.), Andrea Unland (Leben im Alter e.V.), Christian Tewiele (Head of the Pensions, Senior Citizens, Care and Volunteering Division), Sarah Bußmann (Pensions, Senior Citizens, Care and Volunteering Division), Sangita Popat (Federal Association of Senior Citizens' Offices) and Franz-Ludwig Blömker (Federal Association of Senior Citizens' Offices).

The swap box, a central component of the "Tauschen statt kaufen" project, is intended to promote the exchange of household items, clothing, toys and plants among neighbours and thus contribute to greater sustainability and closer cohesion in the neighbourhood.

The idea behind it is simple: things that you no longer need can be placed in the swap box and taken away by other residents free of charge. In addition to the purely practical benefits, it is also about bringing people of different generations and cultures into dialogue.

"I hope that you will all make active use of the offer", said Bocholt's deputy mayor Elisabeth Kroesen in her welcoming address. She praised the commitment of the residents of the neighbourhood.

Franz-Ludwig Blömker, Chairman of the Federal Association of Senior Citizens' Offices (BaS), also welcomed those present. "You have created an excellent opportunity here to meet and exchange ideas", said Blömker.

2024-09-28_Tauschbox-0028-PID

About the project "Swapping instead of buying"

The swap box is accompanied by numerous activities designed to further revitalise the neighbourhood. Activities such as repair workshops, upcycling projects and craft afternoons are planned for the coming months, giving neighbours the opportunity to get to know each other and get creative together.

The project "Tauschen statt kaufen - Tauschbox für die Nachbarschaft" is part of the federal programme Generationen-Kulturen-Vielfalt, funded by the programme "Demokratie Leben". It aims to bring people of different generations and cultures together in one central location. The project is funded by the "Begegnung und Zusammenhalt" programme, sponsored by Stiftung Mercator.

The exchange of items and joint activities are not only intended to promote sustainability, but also to strengthen social cohesion in the neighbourhood. The swap box in the cemetery district in Bocholt serves as a central meeting point, which is enlivened by regular activities such as workshops and events.