Aftercare projects (quality-of-life)
Below, you find an overview of the main projects and activities aimed at improving the quality of life for persons with burns. These projects are generally targeted at enhancing psychosocial aftercare.
Financial support
In 2005, it was investigated whether there is any need for financial support for persons with burns. The answer (for a small group) was: yes. As a result, the decision was made to develop a pilot project in 2006. Partners for cooperation were found and procedures and drawn up, tested and established. The project officially started in the middle of 2007. Persons with burns, who have financial difficulties because of their burns, can rely on the assistance of the Burns Foundation.
Acceptance in society
Persons with burns are often seen as mentally deficient, stared at or even bullied. Such annoying responses from their surroundings feed the embarrassment that persons with burns often already experience and may lead to social problems, or worse, social isolation. In TV spots, the Burns Foundation appeals to the Dutch to 'act normal' around persons with burns. Under the heading ‘standing out is not optional', these spots are broadcasted on the national television networks. In addition, TV shows and articles in magazine and newspapers, are asking for attention and respects for persons with burns.
Contact with other burn victims
Fun away from home
Siblings of children with burns often come last in the period of and immediately after the hospital stay. All attention and care go to the child with the burns. The Lekker Leuk Logeren project (Fun away from home) was set up for all children in the family. A large group of children with burns in the ages 4 to 8 go on a week's vacation together with their brothers and sisters... at the Efteling hotel.
The parents get a break from the care after which is often a very difficult period in their lives and the children are having a fantastic week. Lekker Leuk Logeren is organized in conjunction with the foundation Child and Burn.
Camp Scarwars
Young persons with burns can support one another and provide good advice. That is why Scarwars was set up: vacation weekends for persons between 18 and 25 years old. Besides an active program, there is attention for useful workshops about how to deal with burns.
National Burns Day
Every year, the Burns Foundation organizes the National Burns Day. More than 450 persons with burns, their relatives and friends meet at this special event which is a mix of a conference, a social event and a day out. A wide range of information and emotions is shared by means of lectures, workshops, seminars and discussion groups.
Vacation midweek 25+:
The availability of vacation activities for young adults with burns was limited. The foundation addressed this in 2006 by expanding its activities with an annual vacation camp for persons between the ages of 25 and 35. Purpose is the realization of a positive effect with regard to self-image, confidence and personal performance. The intensive contact among younger persons with burns as well as with a multidisciplinary team of professionals guarantees it.
Hiking trip: Scartrek
With the aim of encouraging the possibilities of contact with other burn victims and to be able to carry out different interventions within a group setting, the project ‘Scar-Trek' - a four-day hiking event for adults with burns - was established in 2006. When you're hiking, you have plenty of time to start a conversation with the fellow hikers. It's a special type of contact among burn victims which draws more attention every year.
Skills training
The course ‘Living with scars' is a skills training for persons with scars. Eight Saturdays offer time to talk, training and practice around the topics of embarrassment, confidence and being stared at. There are 1 or 2 courses every year.
Back-to-school
The back-to-school project is for children and younger persons who were admitted to one of the Burn Centres or other hospitals and are going back to school. It provides aftercare to children of primary school need to facilitate their return to school.
Network of psychologists
The Burns Foundation has a national network of over 20 psychologists who are especially trained to persons with burns with psychological problems. Persons who contact the Burns Foundation to seek assistance are referred to these psychologists, so that there is no need to travel far to receive the specialist kind of help.
Patient association
The Burns Foundation is working in various areas with the Association for Persons with Burns. The Burns Foundation subsidizes the Association which predominantly focuses on advocacy, information and contact among burn victims.