“I supervise 113 volunteers”

27 October 2025

“Every day I open the newspaper at home. Care is a hot topic, with various articles dedicated to it daily. But just for fun, try counting how often something is mentioned about volunteers. Rarely! Despite the increasing demand for volunteers. Combating loneliness, allowing the elderly to live at home longer; it is high on the municipality’s policy agenda. But in practice, it is often the volunteers who can make a difference. They visit people at home, take the time to have coffee, have a chat, run an errand. With a lot of patience and respect. That interpersonal contact is invaluable.”Business sectorZoureena Nagessersing grew up in Suriname. Thirty-two years ago, she moved to the Netherlands, where she built a career in the business world. Initially in the insurance industry and later as head of procurement in the marketing department of ING. A tough world. It has always been her wish to be able to make more of a difference for her fellow human beings at some point. This wish came true in January 2014 when she became the general coordinator of the Stichting Algemene Hulpdienst Buitenveldert. A volunteer organization, founded in 1972, that provides assistance to people at home. Volunteers do the groceries weekly, provide companionship, do household chores, or go through the mail.

You commit to something. To people. And that is having respect.

Sixth Sense“I have 113 volunteers under my wing. These are people who run the daily telephone services at our reporting department, visit new clients for a personalized intake, and a large group that supports the clients. During an intake with a new volunteer, I always pay attention to whether someone’s motivation comes from the heart. I have a sixth sense for that. You can’t fake it with me. I also always mention that volunteering is not voluntary. You commit to something. To people. And that is showing respect. Because when you promise to go grocery shopping, it’s not just about the bread and milk but also about the social hour the client looks forward to. That should not be underestimated.”EquivalenceA motivation Zoureena will not easily forget. A man who had just retired. But in his work as a manager, he had to lay off people, things he felt he had not done well for others; this haunted him. Now he had the opportunity to give something back, he thought, by volunteering. Not specifically for those individuals, but for people in general. This made him realize for the first time that he was not ‘more’ than anyone else.Communication is the key word“All my volunteers I guide. Regularly, I have joint meetings, in groups. Communication is then the keyword. How are things going? What is going well? What challenges are being faced? People appreciate this. And it helps to keep my volunteers informed and motivated. I have enormous respect for all these people. That’s why I take good care of them, also in the form of drinks, extra attentions, and for example a training this year, about all the changes in healthcare. Fortunately, I also have a wonderful board that thinks along with me. Very nice, they give me a piece of respect and appreciation. Every person needs that, no matter what position you are in.”

Most volunteers have been active for at least ten years. Some even for thirty-five years.

Rejuvenation“The volunteers who work here are very diverse. But what they all have in common: they have their heart in the right place. And they are loyal. Most volunteers have been active for at least ten years. Some even for thirty-five years. It has been a conscious choice of mine to bring rejuvenation into the organization. Because more and more work is being done with the computer in our office, and not everyone was equally skilled with it. Now, for example, each department has its own email address. That is more efficient.”What is wealth?“Over the past year, I have learned what wealth is. There are clients who have a lot of money, but are single. They crave social contact. Another group has no money, but a huge beautiful family. Who is rich…? Continuing to make time for your social life, that is what I really instill in my daughter. An investment for later in life. I have also been active as a volunteer my whole life. Not with an organization, but I am always there for my community, in good times and bad. My husband has even given me the nickname ‘Mother Teresa’.”No content to translate.

Are you also interested in volunteering in the welfare sector?View these job vacancies

Categorieën

All stories VCA Zuid Verhalen

“I supervise 113 volunteers”

Newsletter

Contact

Contact

Follow our socials

Newsletters full of inspiration