KPN Mooiste Contact Fonds takes the elderly on 1st day out in a long time

550 elderly people and KPN volunteers enjoy the musical The Sound of Music together in the AFAS Circus Theater Scheveningen

550 elderly people have been to see the musical The Sound of Music together with 550 KPN volunteers. For many of these elderly people, who live in various care homes throughout the country, it was the first outing in a long time. And so it was very much looked forward to by many of them.

Loneliness is a big problem. There are 1 million lonely older people in the Netherlands. 56% of all over-75s feel lonely. Before the corona crisis, loneliness was already a serious problem in the Netherlands and social contact has become even more scarce for many elderly people as a result of the pandemic. Many of them have had fewer visitors for a long time and have had to miss the daytime activities. A trip to a museum or theater was simply not an option.

“Fortunately, it is possible to go to the theater safely again”, said Mark Versteegen, director of the KPN Mooiste Contact Fonds. “Today, after a very long time, we have given 550 guests, for whom social contact is not obvious, the chance to enjoy this wonderful musical about the power of love in a fearful time. And it is extra special because our KPN volunteers could join them again. Because together, it’s even more enjoyable.”

Watch the video below showing how the elderly enjoyed the heartwarming story about Maria and the Von Trapp family.

About the KPN Mooiste Contact Fonds
For more than thirteen years, the KPN Mooiste Contact Fonds has been connecting people who feel lonely with the world around them, and thanks to numerous initiatives, the fund has already reached many tens of thousands of people. The KPN Mooiste Contact Fonds uses technology, resources, and people to support its projects.