Laws and regulations

“A world opens up to you”

Mathis Fleer (38) can be found at the Marnixbad every Monday evening playing games with people with intellectual disabilities. Read the interview with him.

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

Charlie (56) cooks dinner for neighbors every other week on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Community Center Olympus. 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.”

“Being bold is a requirement”

You may pass by it on your bike: the coffee house of the Volksbond in Haarlemmerstraat. A shelter for the homeless. Martine volunteers here. “Being able to act decisively is a requirement.”

“Being productive feels good”

Joop Stoel has been volunteering at the Dienstencentrum Landsmeer for eighteen years, several days a week. Being active makes him feel good.

“Besides a thrift store, we also offer a listening ear”

Elythé is one of the cutest local shops in the North. Petra Vermazen (45) can unleash all her creativity here.

vrijwilligers

“Besides sleeping in, I also like to do something useful”

Carla de Monchy (68) reads together with children from group 4 and 5. Personal attention and fun are central.

onderwijs

“Blind photographer seeks assistant”

Zowik has a busy life, and he wants to compensate for that by giving back. Burennetwerk is an organization that fits well with his schedule: he chooses when and who he helps with something. He has been visiting photographer René for almost a year now. A friendship has developed between them.

gappie maatje

“Contact creates space”

Paloma (22) is a companion for Philip (83) who lost his wife last year. In this interview, they share what they mean to each other.

gappie maatje vrijwilligers

“He! Joop, you’re doing great!”

Joop Collé (60) is a garden volunteer at Stichting Tolhuistuin. He takes care of the plants and trees, cleans parts of the garden, and lays the tiles. Enjoying the outdoors!