Hostess Ana gives residents a warm welcome with a request for help

Ana Mosteiro (59 years old) works as a hostess at WijWest Dichtbij in the De Hoven shopping centre. She does this volunteer work every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon and is completely in her place.

WijWest Dichtbij in shopping centre De Hoven opened in 2024. Seventeen different organisations in the social domain – from the municipality to housing – work here in one place. Residents of Delft can walk in here with any request for help. Ana: ‘Sometimes people come in who have an appointment, and sometimes people come in with a question. As a hostess, you are the first person who has contact with the resident. Each hostess and gentleman works in his or her own way.’

More than one help request
‘This is how someone came in, who wanted to learn how to use the computer. I am then happy to make a package – with the right leaflets and I always give a print with the walk-in consultation hours of WijWest Dichtbij. This shows which organisations are present in the Hoven on which day. My advice is to hang it on the fridge. You often feel that there is more than one request for help. And so I hope that people will be reminded of the existence of WijWest Dichtbij, also for other requests for help.’

Ana has to deal with all kinds of different situations. ‘The other day a couple came in very stressed. Then I sit quietly with them and try to clarify what their care is. They had received a letter and thought it was the wrong thing. Fortunately, we were able to help them right away, because there was a professional from the right organisation. They had misunderstood the letter. It feels very grateful that these residents walked in to ask – and that we were able to solve it together.’

Well-being of people
Ana is clearly a committed person and would like to contribute to the well-being of people in her environment. “I really believe in this place. It is a busy location where many people walk by.’ How did Ana end up here as a hostess? ‘I live nearby and regularly go shopping at the shopping centre. I walked by here at the opening. It already attracted me then. The next time I walked past it, the texts on the windows stood out with requests for help. Then I thought: I want to do something there. But is that possible?’

Exactly at this time Ana had an appointment with Werkse! ‘I’ve been through a lot lately and was at home. When I contacted Werkse again! , it turned out that WijWest Dichtbij was looking for hostesses and men.’ And So Ana didn’t have to think long about that. “It’s a new start for me. Life is unpredictable. I’ve been through a lot, and I’m not unique. If you know it in yourself, you can also recognise it in others.’ How does Ana see her own future? ‘I say to myself: Ana, you’re recovering and you’re recovering. What’s next? That is completely open. By the way, man is always on his way.’