Inspiring digital practices for social work
Discover how digital tools and methods strengthen social work – based on practical experience.
What wide range of practices is actually being employed? Which digital practices truly excite social workers? What works in practice? And what makes these practices so inspiring for both the practitioner and the client?
Be inspired by digital practices that demonstrate how social workers use technology to maintain closeness, foster connections, politicize issues, and collaborate.
Digital proximity
As a social worker, you are present in the lives of people in vulnerable situations—lives that increasingly play out online as well. By employing digital practices, you can establish accessible contact, strengthen connections, and remain close, even outside of face-to-face interactions.
Brug 9
WhatsApp & Messenger
Accessible tools for independent living support
'WhatsApp and Messenger give your guidance a boost. You can get in touch faster, follow up in between, and share documents.'
CKG De Schommel
Instagram course
Instagram course on loving parenting
'For five weeks, we embark on a journey together focused on parenting. This allows us to reach families in a highly accessible way and address the issue of waiting times.'
Huis van Alijn
Erfgoedapp
Making culture accessible to diverse target groups
'We want to reach as many people as possible, taking their wishes and needs into account.'
Violett
Medical and social support for sex workers via WhatsApp
'WhatsApp is much easier and more accessible than contact by phone or email—especially for a vulnerable and multicultural target group.'
Shelter Linkeroever Rode Kruis
Zanzu
Inclusive website about the body, sexuality, and relationships
'A tool for talking to residents about the body, sexuality, and relationships, using both images and language.'
Violett Gent
Zanzu
Multilingual and visual support regarding sexuality
'Thanks to Zanzu’s bilingual feature, I was able to quickly find the right material and display it in Portuguese.'
Politicising work
Online tools and platforms are used as a collective lever to address social injustice and strengthen rights. They give citizens a voice, encourage participation, break down dominant patterns of thought, and make complex societal or legal issues accessible.
Fara
Decision aid for unplanned pregnancy
Online support during the decision-making process regarding an unplanned pregnancy
'This tool makes a huge difference for us, because before it existed, a whole group of invisible women, men, and couples was not being reached.'
Betonne Jeugd
Radio Beton
Online radio by and for young people
'It is often difficult to get disadvantaged young people excited. This is fun, stimulating, and highly accessible.'
Jes
Lomap
Digital participation tool for the neighborhood experience
'Each participant can share their feelings about a neighborhood. That really opens up the dialogue and allows that lived experience to be taken into account.'
Gebruiker
Transgender Information Point
Information and support regarding transgender issues
'It helped me a lot that, in addition to the website, there was also the option of a video call. You don’t have to travel, and you can discuss your concerns right away.'
Zitdazo
Online parenting support for parents
'It’s really user-friendly and clear. That also suits the way I think.'
De Zuidpoort
Too Good To Go
Digital solution to combat food waste
'An app to combat food waste – recommended for everyone, but especially for those on a tight budget.'
Liga Autisme
Autisme chat
Right to accessible assistance
'This way of working eliminates many sensory stimuli, making communication easier for people with autism.'
OLVC Ledeberg
Instagram channel for psychoeducation
'Many people know little about ADHD. Through daily moments of reflection, you can learn more about it in an accessible way.'
vzw Mariënstede
Kassa Nova
Smart checkout for people with disabilities
'By placing people with disabilities behind the checkout, they become service providers instead of service recipients.'
Digital process based working
Digital tools offer new opportunities to structurally embed input, reflection, and participation in care services.
VLESP
Silver
Serious game focusing on thoughts, feelings, and behavior
'Young people indicate that Silver gives them more self-confidence and that they have a better understanding of what goes on in other people's minds.'
Golfbreker vzw
Rustbox
Website featuring methods for children and young people to find calm.
'Rustbox brings together methods you might not yet be familiar with and provides fresh inspiration for you as a care professional.'
VLESP
Back-up
App as a support tool for suicidal thoughts
'Thanks to Back-Up, people always have a tool at hand to help them get through a crisis—at any given moment.'
Digital generalist practice
Digitale praktijken die je rol als brugfiguur versterken en cliënten in een bredere context plaatsen.
MFC Hoge Kouter
Smart Ateljee
Educational website for vulnerable target groups
Young people become less frustrated and find the information they are looking for more quickly.
CAW Huis Noord
Zipster
Website for general practitioners for more targeted referrals within primary care
'Zipster ensures that clients reach the right service more quickly.'
WZC Het Heiveld
Tovertafel
Projector to encourage movement and connection among the elderly
'It is truly beautiful to see how a grandchild reconnects with an elderly person in an advanced stage of dementia.'
Digital collaboration
Digital practices that foster connection: with one another, with the neighborhood, with peers, or with organizations.
Gebruiker
Helpper
App for neighbors to help neighbors with in-home assistance
“'t made a big difference for me to meet people who helped me get back on my feet.'
Groep Hasselt
Give a Day
Online platform that makes it easier to connect volunteers and organizations
'The creators look at what society needs. That is inspiring.'
KSA Melle
Gimme
Communication platform for parents from youth organizations
'All communication takes place via the app. This strengthens the connection with parents.'
Het Pakhuis
Discord
Online youth center for and by young adults
'Thanks to ‘het Pakhuis,’ young people from all over Flanders are able to connect with one another. There are no obligations—anything is possible. I found a great deal of support here, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.'
Are you ready to take digital support in well-being, mental healthcare, and social work to the next level?
Would you like to collaborate, discuss a research idea, or learn more about our services?
Be inspired, expand your knowledge, or have a talk with us.