Storytelling for Collective Care in our Neighborhoods
Although many local initiatives aim to reduce social inequality in the Wildemanbuurt (Amsterdam Nieuw-West), residents often find it difficult to access these initiatives.This is partly due to language barriers, limited digital skills, and a lack of information. This project explores how the gap between residents and support initiatives can be bridged. More specifically: can participatory storytelling play a role in this process?
The power of stories
Stories are not only tools for communication, but also carriers of culture, knowledge, and hope. Driven by a shared passion for the connective power of storytelling, the Stadsreporters and the research group Creative Media for Social Change have joined forces.
Within this project, the organization Stadsreporters trains 10 residents to become ‘real’ Stadsreporters. These residents will produce four short films about local initiatives that contribute to community building. The research group then investigates how participatory storytelling, in which residents themselves determine the narrative, can stimulate the development of collective care within the Wildemanbuurt. This refers, for example, to mutual engagement, where residents support each other and collectively take care of their living environment.
The project also connects to the opening of a new community health room in the Wildemanbuurt (part of the LION project) and builds on the experiences of the Living Lab De Spelende Mens in Amsterdam Nieuw-West.
Methods
The project combines creative, participatory, and scientific research methods.
● Participatory storytelling is central to this project. This method enables residents to share their own experiences and perspectives on health, care, and community through images and sound.
● Narrative analysis: We use various techniques to better understand and interpret the structure, content, and meaning of stories. This includes emotion mapping, in which we explore people’s feelings and how these relate to their experiences.
● Systems thinking: We do not only focus on individual stories, but also on how these stories fit into the broader structures of the neighborhood. Using system story mapping (a visual map of stories), we make connections between people, organizations, themes, and the local environment visible.
● The Louis Bolk model for Positive Health and Living Environment: This model views health as a whole, in which body, emotions, social connections, and the living environment are all interlinked.
Goals
● Investigate how storytelling contributes to awareness, connection, and vitality in the neighborhood.
● Discover how the impact of stories can be made visible.
Expected outcomes
Creative output:
● 4 short films about local initiatives and the community health rooms.
Well-being:
● Improved mental, social, and physical health of the Stadsreporters.
● Increased awareness of local initiatives among residents.
● Stronger community engagement and neighborhood cohesion.
Social impact:
● Establishment of a new group of active Stadsreporters in the Wildemanbuurt.
● Breaking through negative stereotypes about the neighborhood.
● Improved collaboration between residents and local organizations.
Research:
● Insights into the impact of storytelling on collective care.
● Development of guidelines for participatory storytelling in neighborhoods.
● Scientific and societal dissemination of results.
Project team
● Elise Talgorn – Project owner
● Mirna Ligthart
● Nynke Burgers
● Sandra Mul
● Dilène van Campen
● Mirka Janssen
● Djie Han Thung
Partners
Coordination and implementation:
● Stadsreporters
● Creative Media for Social Change
● LION Project team (Lifestyle In Our Network - Dutch page: LION: een leefstijlinterventie voor ouderen in de wijk | Project | HvA)
● Living Lab De Spelende Mens (Dutch page: Living lab De Spelende Mens | betrek ouders bij bewegen kind | HvA)
Practice partners: currently mapping local activities and organizations to decide with whom the films will be made.
Funder
Urban Vitality 2025 Stimulus Funds