A day in the footsteps of office consultant Angie De Warmste Week: let’s fight loneliness together Creating impact with chocolate
Colleagues Els, Jan, Alicia and Steffie feature on the cover
Twenty years, that is a long time! Just thinking back to your own twentieth birthday, you know you have already been through a lot during that period. It’s the same with Daenens. When I look back on the past two decades, I feel terribly grateful. Grateful for everyone who contributed - and still contributes - to the growth of our company: all the household helps, employees, board members, owners who added their businesses to our group, coaches, trainers, employment mediators from VDAB, Forem and Actiris, employees of the Vormingsfonds, the sectoral federation, secretaries and of course our customers.
I am also very grateful to everyone who enabled me to lay the foundations 20 years ago and who believed in me to do business on my own terms: with the employee taking centre stage, and with respect and a sympathetic ear as the common thread. Without my parents and especially my mum, Jacques, André, Chris, my family, my friends, I would probably never have been able to start. At the start and in the first years, my thanks go out to the PWA of Damme, the college of aldermen and many others, ...
My message is clear: keep expressing your faith in others and you will give wings to people who never thought they could fly.
I look back on 2024 with fondness. It marked a big milestone for Plus Home Services, GreenHouse, Makkie, Dienstenaanhuis, Alfa Thuis, TS Wallonie, No Dust and Glax, as we joined forces under one commercial name, Daenens, underlining our cooperation and knowledge sharing. We also celebrated our 20th anniversary at Happyland: it was heartwarming to see all of you enjoying, dancing, laughing and connecting together with family or friends. Your infectious enthusiasm and words of praise were really gratifying.
In the run-up to Happyland, we went door-to-door in our neighbourhood to invite neighbours to a small reception. We wanted to inform them about Happyland and its possible inconvenience. Besides their enthusiasm, however, we also noticed the loneliness of many neighbours. When it then turned out that VRT had chosen loneliness as the theme for De Warmste Week, I didn’t hesitate for a second and we will be supporting this great initiative.
Loneliness truly is a serious issue in today’s society and we have an important role to play in it. Our
household helps are often the only people some of our customers get to see all week. They really look forward to seeing you and that is why you are so valuable to our customers! Besides, I am convinced that they are getting the very best service as long as each of you is also doing well.
That is why we are organising a job satisfaction survey again. You can still complete it online until 22 December. Be sure to take part, because your feedback is crucial. Your responses provide us with valuable insights that we can integrate into our policies and contribute to improvements within Daenens.
To get off to a good start in 2025, you will soon be invited to raise a glass to the new year. And next year, as always, I am committed, both in front of and behind the scenes, to tackle our sector’s challenges and to further strengthen the status of you and all our household helps.
I wish you a splendid 2025, full of joy, happiness and, above all, good health.
Greetings from
A proud look back on our first Daenens months
What exciting months we have all had together lately! Something that took lots of preparation behind the scenes could finally be shared with all of you on 19 August: the launch of our shared commercial brand Daenens. Since then, a lot of exciting things have been on the agenda! Let’s take a look back.
A Happy for everyone
The summer edition of Happy magazine was delivered to all our colleagues, and what a beautiful edition it was! The first issue in our brand-new Daenens look and feel gave an inspiring insight into the creation of our brand by way of a nice interview with Nico, our CEO. The magazine also included a voucher for everyone to pick up their own Happy tote bag. It became a popular hit among colleagues! Did you not get your bag yet? Drop by the office soon, pick it up and let that Happy-vibe shine!
First office inauguration in the new Daenens house style!
On Monday 26 August, the Waregem office opened up during the annual fair. It was the first office to be fully decked out in Daenens’ new, warm house style and colours, which received a lot of compliments! On a gloriously sunny day, many household helps and customers visited, turning it into a pleasant reunion of familiar faces. Kurt Vanryckeghem, then mayor of Waregem, attended the festivities
too and solemnly opened the office together with Nico. In his speech, Nico emphasised that the new office will play an important role in employment and support for families in the region. He invited everyone from Waregem and surrounds to come and discover the new team and their services.
Offices are gradually getting the new Daenens look and feel
As promised, we are working hard to brand every office, both inside and outside, in our new logo’s colours and house style. Attention will be paid to every detail to make sure our Daenens vibe can soon be felt all around Belgium! Eager to see the transformation too? Please make sure to share nice images. So if you have spotted an updated Daenens office in your area, feel free to send your best photos to happy@daenens.be.
Can’t get enough of Happyland? Scan the QR code and relive the fun with our great aftermovie!
Happyland, one big celebration
To celebrate our group’s 20th anniversary and the launch of our new, shared brand, Nico invited more than 17,000 colleagues to our unforgettable festival, Happyland. Together with their families, all employees were invited to park De Rode Poort in Bruges, to experience an enchanting weekend full of surprising performances, cool entertainment and smiling faces.
‘Our employees are the beating heart of Daenens. Happyland was our way of thanking them for all their efforts and giving them a chance to relax and enjoy themselves together with their families. This festival was all about getting together, having fun and strengthening bonds,’ said Nico.
Thanks to everyone for making the first Daenens months so fantastic!
Of course, we have already planned a lot of nice things for 2025 too.. So make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to stay up to date with fun news and facts.
A day in the footsteps of office consultant
Angie
We all know how important the work of our household helps is, but the hard work of our consultants to support them deserves just as much appreciation. That is why the editorial team pays a visit to the Daenens office in Koksijde, where we are warmly welcomed by Angie, one of our many enthusiastic office consultants. Every day at the office is different, and that is just what Angie loves about her job. Let’s join her for a day!
08:00 Starting with a smile, a cup of coffee and the first phone calls
Angie starts her day by processing all the e-mails, messages and questions that came in after office hours from the previous working day. She goes through the day’s agenda and checks that all appointments with customers and household helps are confirmed.
Meanwhile, the first phone calls come pouring in. Fortunately, Angie can count on the support of colleagues Sigrid and Véronique. ‘We are always at the ready to help everyone – household helps, customers and each other,’ she explains cheerfully.
09:30 Matching customers and household helps
An important part of Angie’s job is finding the perfect match between cleaning helps and customers. ‘It’s not just a matter of availability, but also about the click between people. Every customer and cleaning help has their own style and preference,’ she explains. In Koksijde, a coastal town, this is compounded by the fact that many clients are secondhome owners who do not need household help at fixed times but rather on call. ‘This of course creates a lot of extra puzzling arrangement in terms of planning but that’s also what makes the job interesting and challenging.’
13:00 Off to the senior fair!
11:00
Drop-by visits of household helps and customers
The office is buzzing all morning as household helps enjoy popping into the Daenens office. Cindy has come to pick up work shoes and return a set of keys while Vanessa walks in to apply for holidays. ‘I really have a fantastic relationship with our cleaners,’ laughs Angie. ‘The atmosphere in our team is great!’
In the afternoon, Angie is keen to head to a senior fair in Nieuwpoort, an event organised by the city to introduce elderly people to companies and associations that can help to enrich their lives. An ideal opportunity for Angie to put Daenens in the spotlight! ‘The fair was super fun and incredibly valuable,’ she says afterwards, clearly beaming. ‘As many as 15 potential customers registered with us and I also established useful contacts with local care agencies.’
16:00 Packing up and going home satisfied
Angie starts packing up the exhibition stand. The day has flown by and she looks back happily on the many wonderful meetings. For her, this work is about so much more than arranging appointments and cleaning work; it is about trust, care and continuity. ‘It is truly a pleasure to contribute to the wellbeing of others every day,’ Angie concludes with a big smile.
part 2 of 3
Meet our household helps
Daenens is a diverse group of people working day in and day out to take care of families.
We all have our own background and experience, constituting an invaluable asset together. In the previous edition of Happy, we introduced fellow household helps who have been working with us for 0 to 10 years. In this edition, let’s meet some fantastic colleagues with 11 to 15 years of experience. In the final part, the next Happy will feature our most experienced colleagues with more than 15 years’ seniority.
Marcela
employed for 13 years works 30 hours a week Waregem
Why choose a job as household help?
‘I come from Poland and when I arrived in Belgium I first worked in a tomato farm: a tough, irregular job. A friend told me about GreenHouse Waregem and because I have liked cleaning since I was a little girl, the choice was quickly made. I was one of their first Polish employees but since then I promoted the job to many of my friends and we all really enjoy our work.’
Bike or car?
‘Everything by bike. The office made sure my clients all live within cycling distance of my home.’
Customers at home or the house all to yourself?
‘I like it when clients are at home. Two older clients clearly enjoy chatting to me. I consider the customer contact to be very important and it also allows me to keep practising my Dutch further.’
Customers from the very beginning?
‘I have been going to one for almost 13 years, so right from the start! For other customers I have been their regular household help for 9 and 10 years. They have almost become family by now.’
Favourite cleaning tool?
‘I am a big fan of the Swiffer Duster and I recommend Action’s Magic Sponge to all my customers.’
Rita
employed for 15 years works 30 hours a week
St-Niklaas
Why choose a job as household help?
‘For me, this is the ideal job: I have regular work hours, great customers and the feeling that I really mean something to them.’
By bike or by car?
‘I go to most customers by public transport, but due to the recent cancellation of some bus lines, I no longer managed to get to two customers by bus. I now just go on foot, which keeps me young.’
Clients from the very beginning?
‘I have two customers where I have been going from the beginning, so for
almost 15 years. By the way, my oldest customer is 91 years old: she always enjoys having a chat with me.’
Favourite cleaning tool?
‘I like working in the traditional way, so for me customers don’t have to buy specific items. I still clean windows with a sponge and chamois cloth and that works perfectly.’
Hobbies?
‘Definitely! I love embroidery and I also create my own candles. Furthermore, my husband and I like to go on weekend trips, in Belgium or across the border. Since I don’t like flying, we always travel by car.’
What do you wish for in 2025?
‘That I may continue to work and be healthy for a long time to come. I really don’t want to think about retirement yet, because I am afraid of the big void. And as long as I can do it physically, why not?’
Mario
employed for 11 years works 18 hours a week
Oostende
Why choose a job as household help?
‘I used to work in hospitality, but wanted to get rid of the irregular hours. As I had always liked cleaning, I applied to Makkie. After the initial butterfly shift, I got regular customers. I even have one customer where I’ve been going to for 11 years.’
Customers at home or the house all to yourself?
‘It doesn’t matter much. I like both situations. But if I have to do a replacement sporadically, I like to go a bit earlier to get to know the client, the house and the cleaning habits.’
Favourite cleaning tip?
‘I like crisp clean windows. For that I use a silicone squeegee, they are really the best, AND I always pour a dash of dishwasher polish with the water. The windows are streak-free and stay clean for a long time. I once got that tip from a professional window cleaner!’
Hobbies?
‘I have one major hobby that takes up a lot of my time: I am strongly involved in carnivals for 25 years and have been Prince Carnival of West Flanders for the last 11 years. Just as long as my career at Daenens!’
What do you wish for in 2025?
‘Many more years working at Daenens, because I really enjoy my job. I have super cool customers and that gives me so much satisfaction.’
Fatiha
employed for 13 years works 36 to 38 hours a week Liege
Why choose a job as household help?
‘I’m from Morocco and when I arrived here in Belgium, I didn’t have much choice in terms of jobs. But I like to clean, so this was an ideal job that also gave me security.’
Bike or car?
‘Always by bus. I don’t have a car and can’t cycle, so I rely on public transport. Sometimes it’s a bit of a puzzle, but it always works out. I come from Oudja in Morocco where cycling is not as common as it is here in Belgium.’
Favourite cleaning tip?
‘I clean windows with a dash of vinegar, combined with a dash of washing-up liquid. Perfect for clean, streak-free windows. I don’t really need fancy things to clean, good basic equipment is enough.’
What do you wish for in 2025?
‘Good health, of course, that is really the most important thing. And I hope to be able to keep working for many more years.’
Prudence
employed for 15 years
works 33-35 hours a week
Why choose a job as household help?
‘I love cleaning and was looking for a job close to where I live. That’s how I ended up at Glax. I have had almost all my clients since the very beginning. I’m even a bit of family to them.’
Bike or car?
‘I don’t have a driving licence and I can’t cycle very well, so I go on foot. My clients all live within walking distance, so that’s ideal. If it is too far anyway or the weather is too bad, my husband takes me.’
Hobbies?
‘I love walking, so I often go for walk, even after work. I also love African music: being from Ghana, the rhythmic music reminds me of my country and my culture. I have a Spotify list of African music and sometimes my clients ask me to put it on when I am there, because they also appreciate the rhythm.’
Favourite cleaning tip?
‘I really like household vinegar. I use it for windows, bathtubs and sinks. Vinegar gets rid of limescale in the toilet and makes the bathtub and sink shine beautifully. To me, vinegar is much better than Ajax or Mr Proper.’
Customers at home or the house all to yourself?
‘It doesn’t matter. I have relaxed customers, so even if they are at home, I can clean undisturbed.’
What do you wish for in 2025?
‘Good health so that I can keep working for a long time to come. I also dream of travelling to Ghana one day and seeing my mum again. The last time was 8 years ago so I do hope to return to my roots somewhere next year.
Lokeren
Let’s answer your important questions
Am I entitled to an end-of-year bonus?
There was a lot of consternation about the end-of-year bonus this year because the collective labour agreement in the sector was terminated at the end of last year. But despite much misreporting, the end-of-year bonus for household helps remains guaranteed in 2024 ánd in the future. So if you have worked for one or more service voucher companies for at least 30 days between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, you are entitled to an end-of-year premium. There will also be an automatic maximum 26 days of economic unemployment.
In the month of November, you should have received a document from the Sociaal Fonds voor Dienstencheques. If you have, the end-of-year bonus payout will be paid automatically from December 2024. If you meet the conditions but did not receive the document, we recommend you contact the Fund via www. fondsdienstencheques.be (choose ‘contact’ at the top right) or via 02/421 15 80.
How far along is the digitalisation of service vouchers?
From 1 June 2025, paper service vouchers will be phased out altogether in Flanders and replaced by digital service vouchers. From that date onwards, customers will no longer be able to buy paper service vouchers. However, they can still pay you with the paper service vouchers they may still have until 31 May 2026 at the latest.
There will be a solution for customers who really cannot use electronic service vouchers. We will update you on this early 2025. As of now, all customers are being encouraged through various channels to start switching from paper to digital service vouchers.
Another digital step forward: from 1 January 2025, you will have to report your work services via the Job Tracker app or via your office. From 1 January, you will no longer be able to submit your work via phone. More detailed info on this will follow soon. Any questions?
Feel free to contact your consultant!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will we get new Daenens work outfits?
Yes, new work clothes will be arriving in the spring of 2025 for everyone! We can’t wait to see you shine in those brand new outfits, reflecting our fresh, updated style. We are still in the process of ensuring that the clothes are comfortable, stylish and typically Daenens.
What are the 2025 holidays?
In the calendar that is enclosed with this Happy, you can see all the holidays for 2025. As 1 November 2025 occurs on a Saturday, you can check with your office when this holiday will be planned. Would you like some additional calendars for your customers? Then drop by the office as of 2 January and pick up extra copies, so that your customers can also start the year perfectly planned.
Holiday Date
New Year Wednesday 1 January 25
Easter Monday Monday 21 April 25
Labour Day Thursday 1 May 25
Why is the job satisfaction survey so important?
Mid November, you should have received an invitation to take part in our comprehensive job satisfaction survey via e-mail or - for some - by letter. This questionnaire is no formality, as we really want to find out how you feel at work. What do you think of your working conditions? Have you noticed psychosocial risks in your job? Do you have any suggestions for safer working methods? Or maybe you want to share your thoughts about the direction Daenens is taking? Your voice counts and your feedback will remain completely anonymous and confidential. You can still complete the form until 22 December!
By completing the survey together with as many colleagues as possible, you will help us gain a better insight and make targeted improvements. And as you know: happy work, happy life! Tip: if you cannot find the mail, make sure to check your spam folder. And if you still have questions or did not receive the survey, do contact us via Daenens@profacts.eu and we will help you!
Pentecost Thursday 29 May 25
Whit Monday Monday 9 June 25
National holiday Monday 21 July 25
Ascension of Mary Friday 15 August 25
All Saints Saturday 1 November 25
Armistice Tuesday 11 November 25
Christmas Thursday 25 December 25
Do you have any other questions? Let us know at happy@daenens.be. We will make sure to provide you with an appropriate answer.
As contacts become more volatile and digital, genuine connection remains crucial. Loneliness, as Nico said in his foreword, is a silent enemy with occasionally serious consequences on our mental and physical well-being.
As the largest family in Belgium, we want to put our shoulders to the wheel, which is why we are so proud of our partnership with this year’s edition of the VRT initiative De Warmste Week. This campaign reinforces and visualizes our commitment and our values even more.
Perfect match
Let’s just call it what it is: a perfect match! The objectives of De Warmste Week fit wonderfully with our Daenens values of ‘respect’ and ‘warmth’. At the same time, this year’s focus on loneliness is fully in line with the indispensable work we all do at Daenens.
Daenens on radio and tv from 9 to 23 December, on
• Radio 2
• MNM
• Studio Brussel
• One World Radio
• VRT MAX
Follow De Warmste Week x Daenens live in Bruges from 18 to 24 December, on
• MNM
• Studio Brussel
• VRT MAX
We cannot emphasize this enough: every day we are making a difference in the fight against loneliness. Our work goes far beyond tasks like cleaning, ironing or cooking. For many customers, we provide a sympathetic ear, a source of trust and sometimes even the only human contact in a day or even a week. In short: our work has a major social impact.
Just take a look at the numbers: more than half of Flemish people sometimes feel lonely. That’s over 3.5 million people, a mind-boggling number. That is why this year, as a partner of De Warmste Week, we are happy to roll up our sleeves too. We are taking action and launch De Warmste Babbel, a national call to take a moment for yourself and others.
Pause and connect
You can do your bit for the campaign, and quite simply too! We invite everyone at Daenens and all our customers to take a break and engage in a warm-hearted chat. You can plan it how and when it suits you best. The most important thing is to take a moment with someone and really connect with each other.
Afterwards, make sure to register your chat on our website dewarmstebabbel.be! On that site you will also find lots of great stories and inspiration, not just about how you can detect loneliness, but also about how to disconnect to reconnect. You can even upload a personal card there.
So let’s continue to make a difference. Because together we not only provide support to De Warmste Week, we also raise awareness about loneliness and prove the importance of real human connections. In this way, we can demonstrate once more how important our sector is. And it all boils down to your daily efforts, something we can be really proud of!
Join the campaign, make time for each other and fight loneliness!
1. Plan a warm-hearted chat with your customers
2. Make sure to visit dewarmstebabbel.be
3. Upload your photo and create your personal card
Creating
impact together with Wele’s Chocolade!
As you surely have noticed on our flyer, Saint Nicolas has visited our offices and left behind a little surprise for you! The story behind the holy man’s chocolate fits perfectly into this social impact column, that highlights examples of Nico’s social commitment. Discover the heartwarming story behind your delicious chocolate treat!
For several years now, we have been able to count on Saint Nicolas’ delicious treat from Wele’s Chocolade from Pelt. This company is not just known for its tasty and quality chocolate products, but also for its social commitment.
Wele’s Chocolade has been working closely with BuSO Kids from Hasselt for years: during their work-orientation skills lessons, their special needs pupils focus on the shop’s packaging and work diligently to fold gift baskets, cut ribbons, fold chocolate boxes and stamp shop bags.
And that’s not all!
Every Friday afternoon, Guy, a boy with Down syndrome, joins the team at Wele’s Chocolade enthusiastically. He helps out with the dishes and his cheerful presence has made him a much-loved colleague. It is just wonderful to see how much energy he contributes to the team! Moreover, Guy is one of the Notenkrakers, a lovely group of people with a physical, mental or social disability who toil away in care workshops cracking walnuts. Those delicious nuts are then processed into a unique walnut praline paste that forms the basis for all those tasty Wele nut chocolates. Thanks to their dedication and passion for the trade, each praline is imbued with an extra layer and a special story, full of warmth and craftsmanship.
So what are you waiting for? Hurry to the office and enjoy that delicious chocolate treat!
Make your own tasty chocolate chip cookies with Wele’s Chocolade recipe!
With the holidays just around the corner, nothings beats cooking together and enjoying the lovely smell of freshly baked cookies, right? These delicious biscuits are easy to make, so have fun!
Ingredients
• 50 g chocolate chips
• 200 g flour
• 125 g butter (at room temperature)
• 100 g granulated sugar
• 75 g brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
How to make the cookies
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Put the softened butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl. Mix with a mixer or whisk until the mixture has become creamy and fluffy.
3. Add the vanilla extract and egg to the butter mixture. Mix again until everything is well blended.
4. Take another bowl and sift the flour, baking soda and salt into it (this will avoid lumps in the dough).
5. Gradually blend the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Gently mix under with a spatula or wooden spoon until you can no longer see any flour.
Take part and win
6. Add the chocolate chips to the dough and distribute evenly.
7. Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to scoop small dough heaps onto the baking tray. Make sure to leave some space between them as they will expand a little during baking.
8. Put the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookie edges are golden brown. They will still be a little soft inside, exactly as they should!
9. Remove the tray from the oven. Allow the biscuits to cool on the tray for a few minutes before carefully placing them on a wire rack to cool off completely.
10. Serve the biscuits warm or at room temperature and enjoy!
The 10 winners of our previous competition will soon receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Now, take part in the next prize draw by sharing your favourite recipe! You can do so via the QR code, via an e-mail to happy@daenens.be or hand over your recipe to your consultant if you don’t have an e-mail address. Entering the prize draw may see you winning a delicious chocolate gift and even have your recipe featured in a future issue of Happy!
