Tspelopdewagen vzw was founded with several goals in mind. First of all, we want to develop a games café and an inclusive coffee bar: a place where everyone feels welcome to play a game, have a drink or a chat. Within that concept, we want to let people with a mental disability take their first steps into the labour market. In this sense, we would also like to take on the role of a training centre, where people with intellectual disabilities from the surrounding area learn how to work. In the longer term, we are also thinking about training for independent living.
The building in which this project is being built is being renovated according to circular principles, and we also want to incorporate these principles in the way we run the bar. For example, we will build up a local network of suppliers, and we will do everything we can to produce as little waste as possible.
In time, we want to expand this basic concept with other exemplary circular projects, such as a material library for games and educational materials, a seed library, a meeting place for workshops and events on circular themes, and so on.
Due to the corona crisis and the lockdown, we could not yet effectively start the main activity of our non-profit association: the operation of the café and meeting point.
This project has already laid a solid foundation for tspelopdewagen as a future access point for play and enjoyment, for training towards inclusive work and as a sustainable operating point where various basic principles of circular entrepreneurship come together.