THE COOLEST KIND OF CARE: LIVING TOGETHER AT HUMANITAS

In Deventer, The Netherlands, there’s a retirement home that rewrote the rulebook of care.

WHAT IT IS?

Humanitas Deventer — a unique lifestyle concept where six university students live completely rent-free, with just one heartwarming rule: spend 30 hours a month connecting with senior residents. But this isn’t volunteering. It’s authentic living: shared dinners, birthday parties, movie nights, and even social media and TikTok lessons. (Yes, Grandma just went viral!).

Founded by Gea Sijpkes and supported by Jan Jaap Kolkman — ex City Councillor for Health & Housing in Deventer, Humanitas turned care into coexistence.
A true hospitality feeling built on empathy, not efficiency.

WHY IT´S COOL?

Because loneliness is the new epidemic in Gen Z, and Humanitas found the most meaningful cure: connection.

Half of seniors in Europe say they feel lonely each week (Eurostat, 2023). Meanwhile, student housing prices have exploded +35% in the last decade (Dutch Student Union). Humanitas solves both with one simple, soulful idea: shared humanity. Elderly residents gain purpose and laughter; students gain wisdom and belonging.
Everyone wins, and that’s seriously cool. This is not a facility: it’s a family.

WHY IT HAS FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?

Aging populations and social disconnection are universal — and Humanitas shows how hospitality and humanity can merge to create something memorable. The project became a finalist at The Innovation in Politics Awards (2019) for Social Cohesion.
It’s already inspiring copycat communities in France, Japan, and Canada, proving that the next big thing in hospitality isn’t digital, it’s deeply human.

In a world chasing instagrammable perfection, Humanitas makes authentic moments go viral. Because sometimes the most instagrammable thing… is a smile that’s real.

Screenshot

References:

Project Nightfall. (2025, July 21). https://www.facebook.com/ProjectNightfall/posts/at-the-humanitas-retirement-home-in-the-netherlands-six-university-students-live/1314584880038653/

PlayGround (2025, June 2). https://www.instagram.com/p/DKZqeFTvLeJ/

The Happy Broadcast (2025, May 9). https://www.instagram.com/p/DJb1swBxf8L/

Related Topics

Summarized Cool Average Rating:

Average User Rating:
4.5
7votes
5
71%
4
14%
3
0%
2
14%
1
0%
0
0%
    Showing 0 reviews

  1. How cool is this "Seed"?

    Does it have future growth potential?

    The idea of seniors and students sharing daily life is very warm and real. A very refreshing example of how much community matters, and overlaps with care. It is very clear that this concept is going to be successful in many more countries.
    0

    0

    You have already voted!

  2. How cool is this "Seed"?

    Does it have future growth potential?

    x
    0

    0

    You have already voted!

  3. This vision of living together as a mode of care resonates deeply it reframes care not as something done to people, but as something we co-create. Love the way Humanitas illustrates interdependence, dignity, and community in one model. More of this, please.
    0

    0

    You have already voted!

  4. How cool is this "Seed"?

    Does it have future growth potential?

    X
    0

    0

    You have already voted!

  5. How cool is this "Seed"?

    Does it have future growth potential?

    X
    0

    0

    You have already voted!

  6. x
    0

    0

    You have already voted!

  7. I absolutely love this story! The “grandma just went viral” line really made me smile — it’s such a powerful example of how hospitality can be about people and not just places. You captured the warmth and humanity of Humanitas perfectly.
    0

    0

    You have already voted!

  8. How cool is this "Seed"?

    Does it have future growth potential?

    .
    0

    0

    You have already voted!

  9. How cool is this "Seed"?

    Does it have future growth potential?

    x
    0

    0

    You have already voted!

Leave a Reply

Thanks for submitting your comment!