Why was DDN founded?
Born from a personal story
Thomas was a young boy with an acquired learning disability. He lived in an institution, where discussions between his parents and the care staff gradually grew more strained. While the institution was guided by protocols and rules, his parents wanted nothing more than for Thomas to receive love and attention in a devoted environment. For Thomas’s father, this was the spark to take matters into his own hands and organise his son’s care himself.
Core values such as a homely atmosphere, dedicated care professionals, minimal bureaucracy, and genuine warmth for people were all combined. The result: the Thomashuis concept — created for Thomas and 1,000 other Thomases like him.
The local grocer principle in healthcare
Personal involvement, a warm atmosphere, a human approach — it reminded us of the traditional local grocery shops once found in every neighbourhood. The grocer lived above his shop and knew every customer in the area: who they were and what they needed. This inspired him to further shape the care for Thomas.
Just like a grocer, the person responsible for care would live in the very same house. This allowed the short lines of communication and personal commitment of the local grocer to be replicated in the care sector. Thomas’s house would also be the home of the people caring for him day in, day out.
Continuity through franchising
To establish a straightforward concept in which these essential core values could truly flourish, the Thomashuizen were developed as a franchise model. Each house would become an independent business where a couple of care entrepreneurs live alongside their residents. First and foremost, this approach ensures that the house is a true home for everyone involved. In addition, short lines of communication foster deep involvement and an exceptionally personal approach.
Ultimately, entrepreneurship ensures genuine dedication from those in charge. No unnecessary layers of management, no hours-long meetings about residents, but dedicated time and closeness for those who need it — always provided by the same familiar faces.
The franchise approach means these principles can easily be scaled without losing their core value. Furthermore, it guarantees stability for residents: 'their house' will always remain their home.
These same principles were applied to the development of our other care concepts — Herbergier, Zorgbutler and Thomas Op Kamers — and will remain central to everything we undertake at De Drie Notenboomen in the future.
