“He! Joop, you’re doing great!”

Who are you?“I am Joop Collé, 60 years old; my mother came from the North, I grew up in the Spaarndammerbuurt myself. I also lived in North, Floradorp for two years, attended the Azaleaschool, and then moved back to the Center, the Jordaan. For about eighteen years now, I have been living in the North again, in the van der Pekbuurt. I am really enjoying it!”What do you do in your daily life?“Since January 2015, I have been a volunteer at Stichting Tolhuistuin – voted the most important cultural organization in Amsterdam Noord. They rent out various commercial buildings to creative companies. Cultural events are programmed, and the gardens are maintained.”

What do you do as a volunteer?“I am a garden volunteer and also help coordinate the volunteers. In the garden, I work on maintenance – taking care of plants and trees, cleaning parts of the garden, and laying tiles, together with Ben. It’s very enjoyable work, being outdoors. And on weekends, I am the caretaker here.”The most fun thing I have experienced here is…“I can just be who I am and who I want to be here. I have been doing this for over a year now and I think:”I’m doing well! Hey! Joop, you’re doing great.That at my age I can still derive so much satisfaction from this, that is very important to me! And that I am growing along here, in the North. That I am part of all the events here. Sometimes I can be put on the guest list; I gladly take advantage of that. During such an evening, I often think: Look, this is what I do it for!. It’s just a beautiful place here, with very committed colleagues.”What is your tip for people who want to start doing volunteer work?“Volunteering is not something to think about, it’s something you just have to do! And then see how you experience it. Working in the garden is healthier and cheaper than the gym. Enjoying the fresh air!”Are you also interested in doing volunteer work in the North?Createan appointment for a mediation conversationofCheck out some great job opportunities here.