“Applause for your work, you don’t get that in the office”

Charlie (56) cooks dinner for neighbors at the Olympus Community Center every other week on Mondays and Wednesdays. As a Brit in Amsterdam, he discovered that volunteering not only helped him learn the Dutch language but also find his place in the city. “I feel like I really belong here.”

British Specialties

Since April 2024, Charlie has been in the kitchen of the welfare organization SOOZ every other week on Mondays and Wednesdays: “I cook for people from the neighborhood who enjoy making new contacts, having a chat, and being among others.” He regularly surprises his guests with British specialties. “I try to introduce dishes like shepherd’s pie and apple crumble, but with healthy seasonal vegetables and fruits.” The work gives him a lot of satisfaction. “Sometimes people come to me specifically to enthusiastically thank me for the meal. You don’t get that kind of appreciation in an office job,” Charlie says. “Last night, I even received a thunderous applause from the entire table of sixteen people.”

From London to Amsterdam

In 2019, Charlie moved from London to Amsterdam. He had found a job at a marketing research agency, but there was another important reason: “My parents lived here and were getting old. I had to take care of them,” he says. The transition was easy for him. “My brother has been living here for twenty-five years. So, I already knew the city well before moving here.” When he took a break from work, he looked for a way to make good use of his time: “I had wanted to do something to help other people for a long time.” He found the amount of volunteer opportunities overwhelming. Therefore, he decided to contact the Volunteer Center Amsterdam. He advises people looking for volunteer work to do the same: “Just go there, they help you find something suitable.” This is how he ended up at the community center of SOOZ, just around the corner from his own house.

Getting connected with your neighborhood

On Monday evenings, Charlie welcomes fifteen to twenty guests, and on Wednesday evenings, between twelve and fifteen. He does the shopping, cooks, and enjoys the meal together. He works with two or three other volunteers and the community center manager, who help with washing dishes, cutting vegetables, and clearing tables. “We have a lot of fun together. It’s a friendly atmosphere, and we enjoy working together in the kitchen.” Volunteering helps Charlie learn the language. “It gives me the opportunity to practice Dutch,” he says. “I even receive Dutch lessons from one of the people who comes to eat. In return, I give her English lessons.” Charlie definitely recommends other people who are new to the Netherlands to do volunteer work. “It helps you connect more with the community. You learn the language and feel like you truly belong to the city.”

Want to become a volunteer?

Enour online job boardAt [brand name], you’ll find 1001 possibilities.Or come by one of our consultation hours without any obligation.Interview: Ernst-Jan Pfauth
Photos: Marcel JansenSpace