DELIVERING QUALITY HOME CARE,
IS OUR MISSION AND PASSION
SLOW CARE ON A FAST BIKE
Wheel of Care is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2017 to provide holistic care to everyone in the Brussels-Capital Region. Since its inception, our team has grown significantly and now includes not only midwives and nurses but also other healthcare professionals such as doulas, psychologists, dietitians, massage therapists, and acupuncturists. This expansion allows us to offer a broader range of care services and better respond to the diverse needs of our patients.
Onze verpleegkundigen werken via de derdebetalersregeling, Our nurses operate under the third-party payer system, which means that patients only pay their portion, and the health insurance fund reimburses the caregiver directly. This makes our nursing care financially accessible to everyone. Although our midwives no longer work under the third-party payer system, we continue to offer care that is affordable and of high quality, with attention to the specific needs of each patient. betekent dat patiënten enkel hun deel betalen en het ziekenfonds de zorgverlener rechtstreeks vergoedt. Dit maakt onze verpleegkundige zorg financieel toegankelijk voor iedereen. Hoewel onze vroedvrouwen niet meer volgens het derdebetalersysteem werken, blijven we zorg aanbieden die betaalbaar en van hoge kwaliteit is, met oog voor de specifieke noden van elke patiënt.
At Wheel of Care, everything revolves around "slow care": warm, personalized care tailored to individual needs, with a focus on sustainability and the environment. Our caregivers use electric bikes, which not only contribute to a greener city but also help us avoid traffic and reach our patients more quickly. By taking the time for each patient, we not only address immediate needs but also work preventively, contributing to better long-term health.
Our midwives support pregnant women starting from 6 weeks of pregnancy at our practices, such as Huis van het Kind Nieuwland and Huis van het Kind Noord. Postnatally, we ensure that families receive the necessary follow-up care at home. In addition, our nurses provide home care in the 1000 Brussels municipality and the surrounding areas, as well as at our practice in Huis van het Kind Nieuwland.
We are proud that our way of working is an inspiration for the care of tomorrow. Through our holistic and sustainable approach, we hope to raise the bar for healthcare in Brussels and make a positive impact on the well-being of our community.
How it all began: a word from our founder, Flora Billiouw
I am Flora Billiouw, born and raised in the Marolles in Brussels, and the founder of Wheel of Care. This is not just an organization; it is my life's work, born out of personal experiences and a deep passion for care and community.
As a teenager, I never imagined I would end up in healthcare. My dream was to become an art restorer, so I pursued an education in arts and humanities. But life took an unexpected turn when my mother became seriously ill. I visited her often in the hospital, and something happened there that changed my life forever. I saw how the warmth and kindness of the nurses made my mother stronger, not just physically, but emotionally too. It touched me deeply. At that moment, I knew I wanted to fulfill that role for others.
When I decided to study nursing, it wasn’t an easy choice. My parents worried whether I would succeed but nothing could stop me. A week after I enrolled, I lost my mother but her strength and her struggle in those last moments have stayed with me in my work ever since.
In 2017, I founded Wheel of Care out of a desire to offer care that goes beyond the usual medical procedures. I wanted to truly see and hear people, something that is often not possible in the hectic hospital environment. Wheel of Care started small, with just two people, but with a grand vision: care that places time, attention, and empathy at the forefront. Today, we are a team of twenty healthcare professionals, each bringing their own expertise and passion.
What makes us special is our philosophy of "slow care on a fast bike." We move around Brussels on electric bikes, which not only helps us avoid traffic but also allows us to spend more time with our patients. I believe care should not be rushed. Every person deserves to be seen and heard. And that is exactly what we do at Wheel of Care.
In 2022, I became the mother of my beautiful son, Bob. Motherhood has changed me in so many ways. It has connected me even more deeply with the women and families I support every day. I now know from my own experience how important it is to receive care that is not only professional but also empathetic and personal. It has made me a more complete midwife, and it has only intensified my passion for Wheel of Care.
Another important aspect of my life and work is my connection with the LGBTQ community. This community has always inspired me, and I am proud to make Wheel of Care a safe and inclusive place for everyone, regardless of their background, identity, or situation. I want everyone to feel welcome and to receive the care they deserve.
As a female entrepreneur in Brussels, I am extremely proud of what I have achieved, but I also know that I did not do this alone. Wheel of Care has grown into what it is today thanks to an incredible team of passionate caregivers who put their hearts and souls into their work every day. Together, we are building a care model that is ecological, holistic, and human-centered.
If I could share one message, it would be this: believe in your vision, even when the path seems difficult. Wheel of Care started as an idea, a dream to do care differently. And today, I see it making an impact in the lives of people in and around Brussels. That is what I wake up for every day, and that is what I want to continue doing.
So, I invite you to join us on this journey.
Wheel of Care is here for everyone, and I am proud to serve the city of Brussels that I love so much in this way.
Warm regards,
Flora
MAKE A DONATION
Would you, as an individual, company or organisation, like to make a contribution to our beautiful project?
Every donation helps us provide essential care and continue our work.
In addition, your donations go towards new medical equipment, helping individuals from vulnerable families to participate for free in our home care and workshops, and maintaining our electric bikes.
We also use the donations to support our internal operations, the maintenance of our electric bikes and to organise the various workshops and events we offer. These are entirely free of charge for people in precarious situations.
Here is how your support can make a difference: