Heather Loontjens
Sports and Culture Coordinator, De Rode Antraciet, Belgium
After 2 years of giving training to employees (Werknemerswelzijn), I did a walking project with a teenager to Santiago de Compestela. A teenager in a juvenile prison chosed for this walking project, I was the companion. After this I worked for 5 years with minors with addiction problems, mostly drug addiction (De Sleutel). I start there as a group worker, after 3 years I continued as a family worker.
In 2011 I start as a sports coordinator in 3 different prisons (Oudenaarde, Ghent, Dendermonde). After 6 years I only did 2 prisons, because I took the role in the organization to be a coach for the colleagues concerning mental well-being. Since 2022, I only work in the prison of Oudenaarde. Not only as a sports coordinator, but also as the coordinator of all the cultural activities. In addition to my job I’m a international referee in judo.