Daan (31) works as a blood transport courier at MKG Koeriers, on behalf of Sanquin. His work demands flexibility, alertness and responsibility. Even so, he is visibly in the right place. He has now been working at MKG for a year and has found his rhythm within the team. “I lead a grown-up life now,” says Daan. “Sometimes tough, but a life that suits me.” His story shows how IPS helps people grow step by step towards sustainable work, together with an employer who thinks along with them.

Searching for something to hold on to

Before Daan started with IPS, he had one main problem: he did not know what he wanted. Various options came and went; production work, landscaping, an animal shelter, a parcel service, but nothing felt like a real match. “I didn’t know what I wanted,” he says.

His days were filled with being at home, seeing friends and going to festivals. Not necessarily unhappy, but not future-proof either. Work was missing and earlier programmes through the municipality had not brought what he had hoped for. “This was not a life I wanted to keep leading for forty years.”

Then IPS came into the picture, guided by job coach Mieke. The start was tentative. Motivation fluctuated and there were periods when the programme came to a standstill due to treatment. “It called for a long breath,” Mieke says. “But we stayed in contact and kept looking: what does fit?”

Step by step towards suitable work

That search eventually led to a vacancy for blood transport at MKG Koeriers. Daan applied and was invited soon after. He joined for a trial and noticed that the work gave him more than he had expected. “I enjoyed it,” he says. At the same time, it was a lot. He saw how much he still had to learn and remember. “I thought: that’s going to take a long time.”

At MKG, Daan was given the room to build up and grow at a calm pace. He started with fixed routes and gradually expanded his tasks to on-call duties. His IPS coach Mieke recognises this: when things change, a lot often goes on in his head. Thanks to good coordination between Daan, MKG and IPS, that was taken into account.

Employer Lisa recognises this picture too. Changes simply take time, she says, but she has no doubts about what Daan can do. “When it comes down to it, he can handle it all,” she says. The ultimate goal stays clear: working independently as part of the team, just like any other driver.

Dealing with responsibility

An important milestone was completing the training for A1 runs: emergency trips using optical and acoustic signals. Daan passed first time. “I’m really proud of that,” he says. He is now also allowed to drive with flashing lights when an emergency run requires it.

He grew on a personal level as well. Whereas at first he was quick to want to back out under pressure, he gradually learned to tackle situations himself. For instance, he now calls the planning desk himself when something comes up. “And then it often turns out to be much simpler than I thought,” he says.

Mieke clearly sees that development. She recognises that Daan often made things bigger in his head than they were, and that he is now learning, more and more, to handle that in a fitting way. IPS stayed involved to discuss situations together and to take another step towards independence each time.

Work that goes beyond just a job

The impact of work is greater for Daan than simply having an income. He has structure, saves money and was even able to buy a car. “I could never have done that before.” Socially, a lot is changing too. Daan says he now looks ahead more and knows where he stands. Because he can see his schedule in advance, he can plan things better. That brings calm and overview, something he missed before.

The irregular hours still take some getting used to, but Daan deliberately chooses this work. “I actually like this better.” He mentions that he might one day want to drive different routes or live somewhere bigger, but stresses that there is no rush. For now he is content with how things are going. “It’s good as it is,” he says.

For Mieke, this programme shows what IPS is all about: to keep looking and take the time to arrive at something fitting together. Daan had not found the right place straight away, but precisely because he was given time, there is now a solid foundation.

Lisa, too, sees how important collaboration and trust are in this. By working together and giving room for development, Daan was able to grow into a role that he fills ever more independently.

Daan sums it up simply himself: “I’m just happy.” This life feels better to him than how it was, and like something he can keep on sustaining.

Persistence pays off: Daan succeeds and finds his place as a courier with IPS support

Searching for something to hold on to

Step by step towards suitable work

Dealing with responsibility

Work that goes beyond just a job

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