Helping seniors have an unforgettable experience while enjoying it themselves

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers from the foundation Vier het Leven, elderly people can enjoy cultural events without worries. They accompany individuals to the theater, concert, film, or museum. Each outing is meticulously organized and provides guests not only with a wonderful experience but also with pleasant social contacts.

Astrid: “In 2013 I heard about the existence of the foundation and as a culture enthusiast, the concept immediately appealed to me. Not long after, I started here as a hostess. But a year later, my husband became chronically ill and needed intensive help every day. When I retired in 2023, this was the first thing I wanted to pick up again! I enjoy the contact with people, I get happy from happy faces, and I am generally fond of everything related to culture. A big advantage is that you don’t tie yourself down: I just look in my calendar when I have time. Which performance is then on doesn’t matter much to me. I have even been to the same performance four times. I even experienced a performance that was so bad that the guests didn’t want to return to the hall after the break. We then went for a drink and had a fantastic evening.”

What does a hostess do at Vier het Leven?

“As a hostess, you usually pick up three people at home, offer a supportive arm if needed, and guide them to the theater. You also arrange the cloakroom and drinks and ensure they return home safely. Everyone aged 65 and over is welcome, with or without a disability. We have a group of regular participants, but new faces are always joining. Everyone has their own motivation for joining: socializing, having the courage or ability to go out alone, and the luxury of being driven so they can enjoy a glass of wine.”

From hostess to location coordinator

“My vision in the dark is not optimal, and I started to find it a bit scary to drive with people in the evenings. You still feel responsible. I then offered to be a receptionist for two half-days. I also found that very enjoyable work: you take the reservations and answer various questions. Until I was asked to become one of the location coordinators in Amsterdam.”

The foundation operates nationally and is divided into dozens of regions. In Amsterdam, there are four coordinators who ensure a selection of suitable performances. In consultation with the theaters, nice places are then arranged.

“I love organizing and I’m good at it. The planning is quite a task; it’s not easy to make everyone happy. A reserve volunteer is always arranged so that guests can go out regardless, even if there is, for example, car trouble. Together with the regional coordinator, I also recruit new volunteers and orient them. I found the first time I was a hostess very exciting. Of course, it’s important that there is a certain feeling with the target group.”

Coordinating and continuing to enjoy as a volunteer

“I enjoy being involved in the entire process. I appreciate the contact with the other location coordinators, and of course, the contact with the guests. I still regularly schedule myself as a hostess! In the summer, there are also outings outside Amsterdam, such as a bus trip to the Zuiderzeemuseum or a boat tour on the Vecht. Always a celebration!”

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Interview: Martina Koster
Photos: Marcel Jansen