Workshop KomVorm! helps teenagers
More and more teenagers are struggling or leaving school without a diploma. Schools often can’t accommodate these young people, resulting in them staying at home. Workshop KomVorm! in the Netherlands helps teenagers for whom there’s temporarily no place at school. Here, teens receive personal coaching and can calmly develop their talents.
Nick and Mirjam Ceelen are both teachers. They discovered that their schools have no place for students who are struggling. Some teens between 12 and 18 have problems at home or find themselves in a bad environment. Others struggle with the pressure to perform or have difficulty learning and concentrating due to ADHD. These young people need help, but they don’t receive professional care. Their problems aren’t severe enough for than. They also can’t stay at school. So they stay home. Nick and Mirjam wanted to do something about this.
What does KomVorm! do?
Nick and Mirjam started KomVorm! in 2024. With this workshop, they give young people a place to catch their breath. They receive structure and personal attention. Here, teenagers can discover what they enjoy and learn what they’re good at. This way, they can become the best version of themselves.
How does it work?
Nick and Mirjam provide intensive coaching and help the teenagers discover what motivates them. Together they look at what’s possible and how the young people can develop. The teenagers aren’t at school at school for a while, but there is still structure. They work with their hands and learn creative and technical skills. They also learn to collaborate and share knowledge. Nick and Mirjam also pay attention to motivation and self-confidence.
The teenagers choose what they want to make: painting, printing textiles, woodworking and metalworking, there’s even a 3D printer. There are no tests or fixed plans. It’s about personal growth. The aim is to let these young people experience small successes. This gives them more self-confidence and makes them more motivated.
KomVorm! is also there for young people who enjoy making things. The workshop offers opportunities they don’t have at home. At KomVorm! they can develop their talents.
Money is a problem
Starting and keeping a workshop open costs a lot of money. They have to pay rent and buy machinery. The coaching also costs money. But little money comes in. KomVorm! is not a school or care institution. That’s why they don’t receive money from the municipality or subsidies. KomVorm! also received a contribution from Rabo BuurtSupport as part of the cooperative dividend.
KomVorm! also won one of the three national Cooperative Impact Awards from Rabobank. The prize was 12,500 euro. With this money they can expand their efforts and support even more young people.