Cycling buddies: Yvonne helps Anita get started

Yvonne is an artist and coach in Utrecht. She responded to an advertisement from the Prisma foundation seeking buddies in Amsterdam. Yvonne was paired with Anita in a conversation, who, like Yvonne, is spontaneous and loves to sing. There was an instant connection between the two. ‘I always leave with a smile.’

Anita wants to get to know more people and overcome her fear of cycling. After the death of her husband 6 years ago, she had slowly but surely become isolated. “I wanted to break down the walls I had built around me,” Anita says. “Stichting Prisma searched for and found a volunteer who coached me, both on the bike and in my interactions with others. Yvonne taught me that taking initiative is important and how to do it.”

Yvonne has received training as a coach and is always looking for connections between people. She also creates large paintings as a visual artist. She often talks to others about her volunteer work. “The satisfaction is greater than in a paid job; it’s nice to see people, in this case Anita, progress step by step. It adds so much value. I always leave with a smile. People never think they have time for volunteer work, but it’s just a matter of taking the first step. It’s whether you are willing to give it a chance.”Cycling togetherBy cycling and following the traffic rules, Yvonne Anita has learned to go wherever she wants. Anita is visiting places she didn’t go to before. In April, Anita joins a cycling course to improve her skills in cycling in a group. She can now ride to work independently at the social workplace Textile Studio De Draad, and back home on her bike, no longer relying on group transportation.Playing tambourine“Sometimes we also go for coffee at the Community House. We love to chat and share a passion for singing and music.” This is how Anita is involved in the band Wimpies and the Domino’s, where she sings and plays the tambourine. They have performed twice at Carré during the Knoopjesgala, with the Metropole Orkest, Paul de Leeuw, and Ronny Flex. “I have been with the band for three years now and I really enjoy it.”

Yvonne and Anita are very involved with each other. At this point, they have reached the stage of gradually scaling back after 7 months, so that Anita can continue independently with everything she has learned from Yvonne. This is also the principle of Prisma’s neighborhood buddies project. Together, they have broken down the metaphorical walls: Anita has her job, friends, and the band to keep her going. She has learned from Yvonne to take initiative, to go out. For example, to a fun neighborhood activity.”Text and photo: Helen Kooistra

Want to do volunteer work?At the Prisma foundation or somewhere else? You can find all volunteer vacancies (over 1500!) at:vacaturebank.vca.nu– We are happy to help you find something that suits you!
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