Yuverta joins as 100th member: ‘Contributing together to a little more happiness’
Some moments deserve a pause for reflection. Yuverta mbo Helmond joining Brainport for Each Other as its 100th member is one of those moments. For the school, membership feels like a logical next step, say Inge Essing and Ingrid Buckx, both Senior Programme Managers at Yuverta. 'This simply fits who we are'.
Yuverta mbo Helmond is a small-scale school with about 575 students. Its programmes are firmly rooted in green sectors, animal care and the environment, but the school offers more. "When you think of Yuverta, you quickly think of the outdoors, animals and plants,' says Inge. 'But for us it's just as much about health, lifestyle and wellbeing. About helping young people discover who they are and what gives them energy.'
That broad perspective is reflected in the education. Students learn as practically as possible, outside the school walls: at companies, in zoos, in nature and with social organisations in the region. Ingrid: 'Our students learn right where it happens, in real-life settings. That's what makes our education so meaningful.'
‘Hard and soft together ensure balance’
This way of working fits the Brainport region. Yuverta originated on the Groene Campus, where education, government and business early on joined forces. That triple‑helix idea still lives on. “We are right in the heart of a region known for technological innovation. But to get people to work and stay here, the living environment has to be right. Green, health and wellbeing are indispensable for that.” It’s precisely this balance between “hard” and “soft” that appeals to Yuverta in Brainport voor Elkaar. “Where technology is often the engine, this network deliberately also looks at the human side. Hard and soft need each other to stay in balance,” says Ingrid.
Membership in Brainport voor Elkaar Other aligns with the social role Yuverta sees for itself. Inge: “As an educational institution we not only train students, we also teach them what it means to be part of society.” Collaboration plays a big role in that. “You don’t have to know or be able to do everything yourself. By sharing knowledge and experiences, you move forward together. One and one only becomes three when you find each other.”
No‑waste programme for students with limited means
The knowledge Yuverta brings doesn’t just sit with staff, but especially with students. A fine example comes from the no‑waste programme of the student council. They saw how much work clothing was left over after internships. At their initiative, work clothing is now collected afterwards and made available again to students who struggle to buy new work clothes. “They saw the problem and came up with the solution themselves,” says Ingrid. “Admitting you can’t afford something can be nerve‑racking. That’s why students can let their coach know what they need, without explanation or shame. We see initiatives like this as snowflakes. One snowflake may not seem like much, but together they create a snowball effect. Young people often come up with ideas we wouldn’t have thought of ourselves. We learn at least as much from them as they do from us.”
Sharing, daring, doing
Yuverta’s slogan — sharing, daring, doing — fits well with their role within Brainport for Each Other. They enter the network with an open mind. “We don’t know where it will all lead, but we do know we have something to offer.” And how do Ingrid and Inge hope other members will see Yuverta in a few years? “As an engaged partner who reaches out a hand. Approachable, where our students’ voices are heard. If together we can contribute to a little more happiness in this region, then we’ve done well.”