Updates from the Dutch Blended Learning Network 

Since the start of the WELL CARE project in early 2024, the Dutch Blended Learning Network (BLN) has been up and running. Our BLN is organised into a core group of 10 participants and a sounding board of 15 additional members, representing a wide range of stakeholders. The core group mainly consists of informal and professional caregivers, volunteers, and local care administrators, while the sounding board mainly includes representatives from various care organisations and institutions on an organisational level. In principle, the core group meets five times a year to discuss the project’s core themes and interim results. The sounding board typically participates in one session per year, but they are always welcome to attend additional sessions that interest them.

We kicked off the project with an in-person meeting in March 2024, bringing both the groups together to introduce the project’s goals and build connections. In May, our first online session (BLN1) focused on the definitions of mental wellbeing and resilience, with eight core group members participating in a rich discussion. Our BLN offered valuable feedback on the reported definitions and discussed current practices impacting caregivers’ mental wellbeing, such as bureaucratic hurdles and insufficient collaboration between professional and informal care. In July, our second online session (BLN2) featured 11 members discussing the concept of ‘care partnerships’ as outlined WELL CARE Project Guide. This session explored the Dutch definition of ‘care partnership’, the key partners involved, and the requirements for successful collaboration. Participants emphasised that ‘togetherness’ and ‘a sense of community’ are essential components of ‘care partnership’, with diverse partners ranging from neighbours to employers and healthcare professionals. In addition, trust was highlighted as one of the key requirements for successful collaboration.

The diverse perspectives within our BLN have enriched the discussions, making the topics more relevant and underscoring the importance of the WELL CARE project. A recurring theme is the significant role of community-based care in supporting the mental health of both informal and professional caregivers.

Looking ahead, we are excited about our upcoming in-person session (BLN3) in October.This session will bring together many members from both the core group and the sounding board to discuss recent project activities, review findings on resilience and mental wellbeing, set criteria for selecting good practices, and share examples of these practices.

Author: Esmee Beldman