Who exactly is Brother Tuck? And why does Willem van Spaendonck, a networker in the field of the inclusive labour market, call himself that? It has everything to do with an old story about justice and standing up for people who face challenges.
The name comes from the legends of Robin Hood. This English folk hero is known from stories in which he stands up for poor and disadvantaged people. Whether Robin Hood actually existed has never been proven. But that does not really matter. His story continues to inspire people to this day.
The version Willem knows best is the famous animated film by Walt Disney. In that story, Robin Hood is an outlaw who remains loyal to King Richard the Lionheart. While the king is abroad, his greedy nephew seizes the opportunity to take power. He raises taxes and shows no mercy to those who cannot afford to pay.
Robin Hood therefore decides to steal the money back and redistribute it among the poor farmers. In doing so, he becomes a symbol of justice.
The Role of Brother Tuck
One of Robin Hood’s most loyal allies is Brother Tuck. He is known as a friendly friar who enjoys a good glass of wine and a hearty meal. But behind that cheerful personality is also a man with a strong sense of justice.
In the story, he passes a small farm just as soldiers are collecting excessively high taxes. The family begs for mercy, but the soldiers show no compassion.
When Brother Tuck witnesses this, he can no longer remain silent. He becomes furious and confronts the soldiers. Eventually, he is arrested, but after his release, he joins Robin Hood.
Their goal is clear: to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a fair and decent life.
Why Willem Calls Himself Brother Tuck
For Willem van Spaendonck, this story feels surprisingly familiar. He has a strong sense of justice himself and finds it difficult to accept situations in which people are treated unfairly.
“By nature, I can get quite passionate when I see injustice,” he explains. “And just like Brother Tuck, I enjoy good food and a nice drink from time to time.”
During an outplacement programme, Willem was once asked which character from a story he felt most connected to. He did not have to think long about his answer. He immediately chose Brother Tuck.
That choice had everything to do with his belief that everyone in the Netherlands should have the opportunity to live a good life.
Brother Tuck and the Inclusive Labour Market
According to Willem, the story of Brother Tuck fits well with his work at Breedweer in support of an inclusive labour market. He knows from personal experience how important work can be.
When he himself went through a period of unemployment, he realised just how significant its impact can be. Work means more than just earning an income. It provides structure, self-worth, and the opportunity to participate in society.
That is exactly why Willem is committed to a labour market in which everyone is given a chance. In his view, too many people are still being left behind. People who have talent, but who, for various reasons, are not being seen.
That is what drives him to take action. Just like the friar in the story, he wants to stand up for people who are given fewer opportunities.
That is why he jokingly refers to himself as the Brother Tuck of the inclusive labour market. Not because he wants to be a hero, but because he believes that everyone deserves a place in society.
And as long as there are still people standing on the sidelines, Brother Tuck will continue to stand up for them.
