New meeting place in the cemetery neighbourhood coming next summer

The residents of Bocholt's Friedhofsviertel neighbourhood already have something to look forward to: Next summer, the new community centre on the corner of Breslauer Straße 2, in the former Melis drinks shop, is due to open. Until then, the rooms will be renovated and furnished. The name of the meeting place has not yet been decided. A name competition is to be held.

Representatives of the city of Bocholt, the association "Leben im Alter" (LiA), the housing companies Bocholter Heimbau e.G. and LEG Immobilien as well as the LEG foundation "ein Zuhause hilft" have now signed a contract in which the parties involved commit to further promoting development in the Friedhof neighbourhood. The future neighbourhood meeting place is a central building block. Renovation and refurbishment will cost around 125,000 euros, which will be covered by LEG Immobilien and the city of Bocholt. Once it opens, various social and counselling services will be available to all citizens.

Background: Neighbourhood work in Bocholt

For some years now, Bocholt's neighbourhoods and residential areas have been specifically promoted, for example in the Friedhofsviertel, "Hochfeld" or "Fildeken". The aim is to strengthen neighbourly cohesion, facilitate integration and activate voluntary work. "Housing is the new social issue: this is about more than just housing itself. It's about the environment and good structures", says Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff, who uses Cologne as a comparison: "There they say "Veedel" (note: Cologne dialect for "neighbourhood") - and that's one way of thinking." In Bocholt, too, neighbourhood work is being driven forward with "high visionary power". The neighbourhood meeting place is "highly symbolic", said Kerkhoff, who thanked everyone involved in the cooperation agreement for their commitment.

LiA Chairwoman Andrea Unland recalled the beginnings in the cemetery neighbourhood in 2006, when LiA opened a drop-in centre on Dortmunder Straße that was primarily intended for senior citizens. Over the years, this has changed. Different generations now live in the Friedhofsviertel neighbourhood. Since 2021, LiA has therefore expanded its focus to include all groups and generations living there.

Collaboration with the housing companies Bocholter Heimbau and LEG, which are active in the neighbourhood, has been an established practice for almost 10 years. For some time now, the LEG Foundation has been supporting "Your Home Helps" as a new partner. The city administration is also on board via the social services department. Everyone agrees that the good cooperation should be continued on the basis of the contractual agreement that has now been concluded.

Initial successes have already been achieved. A few days ago, almost 100 people attended the Advent singing event. Many other activities are planned for the future, such as walking or hiking meetings, creative afternoons and more.

The central meeting point on Breslauer Straße is the ideal place for this. It will open its doors in summer 2023. There is great anticipation in the neighbourhood.