"On LinkedIn, we saw a call come up from students; whether anyone wanted to make a second-hand caravan available," says Carlo Eussen, general manager at Zuyd Group. "Through gamification, the students wanted to make young people more aware of debt, and show what it can do to you. At Zuyd Group, we believe that a sustainable approach to debt problems starts with creating awareness among young people. This project fits perfectly with that."
Attractive game format
The Credit Bank and a housing association were also involved in the project. Together with the initiators and local entrepreneurs, the caravan was converted into a mobile escaperoom. Through the assignments in the escaperoom and the accompanying teaching programme, the young participants discover the consequences of being in debt. They also learn why it is important to seek help early. "Awareness around money worries is important. Especially among young people. If they already know what debts can trigger or what to do when debts arise, we can tackle or even prevent it in time in the future. This is how we tackle the debt problem in a really sustainable way," says Carlo. "Normally, of course, this is not the most interesting topic for young people, but the game format makes it attractive."
More than 60 sessions
During the sessions at the schools, an expert by experience, an employee of the Kredietbank and an employee from Zuyd Group are present. Some of the young people stay in the classroom, and some go into the caravan. The two groups have to work together during the tasks. Carlo: "Schools are queuing up. We have now done more than 60 sessions, and next year is already fully scheduled as well. We are now focusing on vmbo and mbo. Sometimes we also do sessions with groups 7 and 8 at primary schools and colleges, but unfortunately we cannot handle all the requests."
On a silver platter
"Schools in the province of Limburg are our biggest customer, which is also our working region. We also have a second caravan running in Brabant," says Carlo. "It is often difficult to reach young people on this topic, but with this game and teaching material, it goes well. On average, there are 20 students in a class. Do the math. It would be great if other bailiffs also want to roll out this concept in their region. I can give it to them on a silver platter."
Not a curtain call
"Not only the debtor, but also our client and us benefit when we collect socially. We create more goodwill, which results in longer cooperation with clients. It would be nice if everyone in the sector looked at it this way," Carlo believes. "We want to take the right approach for the right people. This is another reason why we joined SRCM. This way, we get confirmation from an independent institute that we are doing what we want to do well. Sustainable debt collection is not a token gesture, but bringing about something in the long term."
Cooperation with chain partners
According to the jury of the SRCM Sustainable Credit Management Accent, the cooperation with chain partners was also an extra plus with the mobile escaperoom. Carlo: "The Kredietbank sees up close that young people are increasingly getting into debt. That's why they too think early awareness among young people is so important. The same applies to the housing association. They too find it necessary to make young people aware already. After all, young people are their future tenants. Joint action in this project is therefore of great added value."
Understanding each other's work
Carlo: "As an industry, we want to continue to grow, as expected by the SRCM maturity model. I see opportunities in more cooperation in the chain. Better contact and better communication can help. As an administrator, spend a day with a bailiff, and vice versa. This will create a better understanding of each other's work. In the end, we all want to achieve the same thing: "To actually help people with debt problems who are open to being helped."
Source: SRCM Certification