Residents’ perspective on their utilisation of community centers in the municipality of Zaltbommel, and how it contributes to their personal wellbeing

Abstract

Introduction. As health issues in society become more complex and change over time, the social domain is encountering challenges. This had led to higher expectations for municipalities and their residents to take ownership and accountability within the current healthcare system. Strengthening facilities and neighbourhoods is important to ensure no one is left behind. In this study, community centers are examined from the perspective of residents from rural and urban areas in the municipality of Zaltbommel, with the purpose of examining in what ways community centers can contribute to a person’s wellbeing, as these centers can strengthen and empower individuals and communities. Methods. Semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews (n = 15) in different community centers (n = 5) were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and coded using an inductive and deductive approach, followed by a thematic analysis. Results. Analysing through the healthy settings and the salutogenic theory as theoretical lens, the findings illustrate that community centers have the potential to positively impact individuals' personal wellbeing in three interrelated ways: 1) the friendly environment of the centers makes visitors feel comfortable and enjoy doing activities at these locations, 2) intrinsic personal needs are satisfied by visiting community centers, with urban centers playing an important role in personal learning experiences, 3) community centers contribute to social needs, such as promoting or strengthening social connections, with differences observed in rural and urban centers. Discussion. In summary, this research provides comprehension into community center participation and urban-rural differences. One of the limitations includes not achieving data saturation in the urban area. It is recommended to explore the needs of urban areas more extensively as their needs are diverse, and actively engage with residents for insights. This information can help policymakers make informed decisions and highlights the importance of citizen perspectives.