Interview with consultant Medine Yumlu
Our communications staff recently interviewed consultant Medine Yumlu about UWV Modular Services.
You handle a lot of modular service files. How did this actually come about that way?
"This actually happened in a very funny way. I handled a number of files as a Turkish-speaking supervisor. The UWV was so satisfied with this and then the ball got rolling. My name was passed on internally and then the contact persons started to approach me personally for various files. A bit of word-of-mouth advertising then!"
When does a person enter a modular pathway? What causes one to end up in such a situation? "Becoming disabled can have a big impact on people. They can lose their daily/work rhythm, do less business and have fewer social contacts, which can isolate them and make their distance from the labor market larger and larger. This reduces their chances of participating in society and ultimately in the labor market. In these cases, I am often approached to supervise a program. For example, I do many participation intervention programs in which I help people come out of their isolation by paying attention to their physical and mental condition. This can include coaching conversations, working on a daily routine, physical fitness, mapping interests or even support with issues related to agencies. Just what the client needs to take that first step to become active again. By removing or clarifying the obstacles as much as possible and mapping out the possibilities, the client gains more perspective to participate again.
If this step is successful, a pathway of social participation often follows. Name actually says it all, the goal is to be able to participate in society again through activities and making contacts."
Where is the difference from, say, a WorkFit program in terms of guidance?
"Work fit pathways are more of a preparation for the labor market. In these pathways we are going to prepare people for the labor market, prepare a resume, look for a work experience place, etc. People in modular pathways are not yet ready for the labor market."
How do you motivate clients to take the next step on the participation ladder? And where is the challenge in this?
"This is hard to say. I believe that personal contact makes the difference. The client relationship is the most important factor of all. For example, I find that managing expectations and explaining the purpose of a course already does a lot for trust. This does make clients willing to do more. This is where the challenge lies, to be able to create this. A trajectory also stands or falls with the contacts you have with clients, this is really the basis for a successful trajectory."
Can you use your native language in some files?
"I use my native language in many of these cases. It makes a huge difference when people can speak in their mother tongue. For example, I now have a client who UWV thinks is ready for the next step. But the client communicates to me that he is not yet ready. In such a situation, I try to hear what the parties think and try to respond as a messenger. My native language then helps me communicate with the client. They can express themselves better and also feel familiar. This also allows me to provide better feedback to UWV."
If so, does this help gain customers' trust?
"Yes this does indeed help gain confidence."
