A look inside de Stadsbrug, a location of de Tussenvoorziening, where a Shelterbag means more than just protection.
In the heart of Utrecht, on the edge of the city center, lies De Stadsbrug, a shelter run by de Tussenvoorziening. It is a place for people with nowhere else to go. Recently, we delivered 80 Shelterbags to this location, where the need for protection remains high. During a visit and tour, we spoke with Simon, the team coordinator at the shelter, as well as with people for whom a Shelterbag quite literally means the difference between exposure and protection.
Why Shelterbags, and why now?
Summer might not seem like the time to hand out protection, but that’s a misconception. Sheltersuits are too warm for this time of year, Simon explains, “but Shelterbags are perfect. They’re lightweight, breathable, water- and windproof, and above all, they provide a sense of safety.”
Before Shelterbags and Sheltersuits were distributed, de Tussenvoorziening even handed out horse blankets to help people stay warm on the streets. “Of course, that wasn’t ideal,” Simon shares. “The Shelterbag is a huge improvement. You can see that people feel better protected, both physically and mentally.”
A Shelterbag makes me feel safer.
- Shelterbag recipient in Utrecht -
During our visit, we also speak with a man who has been experiencing homelessness for five years. He tells us about his Shelterbag: “I’m so happy with this. I feel safer, I have more protection, and I don’t get bitten by insects at night anymore.” His words are powerful and show just how important a Shelterbag can be to someone.
Shelterbags with a number
De Tussenvoorziening uses a numbering system: each Shelterbag receives a unique number. “If someone loses their bag and it is later found, we can often trace who it belonged to and whether that person has been with us,” says Simon. This system not only helps with identification but also contributes to the sustainable reuse of the products.
Returning, washing, and redistributing
Sometimes Shelterbags or Sheltersuits are returned by the municipality, police, or local security. Because these products are sustainable and valuable, De Tussenvoorziening has asked the community to bring them back if they are found somewhere. “We wash the products so they can be redistributed to someone else in need,” explains Simon. This circular system ensures that no product is lost but instead gets a longer lifespan.
The shelter has changed in the past years
The situation on the streets is changing. More and more women are becoming homeless, so the shelter at De Stadsbrug is now mixed-gender. Simon also notices that many new arrivals nowadays are Polish. People come here because they were promised a job, but those promises are often not kept. As a result, they end up on the streets. The shelter takes this into account: explanations and information are posted on the walls in Dutch, English, and Polish.
Help us and support our mission
The stories of Simon and the residents of De Stadsbrug show how urgent the need still is. That people have to survive on the streets, even in the Netherlands, is a reality that often remains invisible. Protection, dignity, and humanity are not luxuries, they are essentials.
The 80 Shelterbags in Utrecht are making a difference right now. But more is needed, in more places. Your support ensures that we can continue to deliver, help, and protect.
Donate today and give someone without a home a chance at protection, dignity, and safety.
