More and more buddy volunteers needed for vulnerable Amsterdammers

Photo:Jackie Mulder

An estimated eighty thousand residents of Amsterdam need a buddy, due to loneliness, mental health issues, language barriers, or for example because they need help solving their debts. And that number is increasing. The coronavirus crisis has worsened the situation for many people and has created new vulnerable groups as a result of job loss or loss of assignments. Volunteers make a crucial contribution by providing low-threshold, practical assistance, offering mental support, guiding towards formal care, in short, by taking care of the well-being of these groups.

Coronacrisis

In the past six months, many more residents of Amsterdam applied for social assistance than the previous year, indicating a rise in poverty. Additionally, 40 percent of the residents are experiencing mental health issues. Increased uncertainty in various areas of people’s lives leads to stress, loneliness, domestic violence, learning difficulties, or even homelessness. (source)amsterdam.nlHello!

Collaborating organizations

During the corona crisis, the volunteer base of many organizations has grown in the past six months. Nevertheless, the demand for volunteers is increasing due to the rising need for help. Therefore, Volunteer Center Amsterdam and dozens of social organizations in Amsterdam join forces and collaborate.the whole month of Novembercampaign to convince people from Amsterdam to become volunteer buddies!

The campaign is called “Buddy Wanted” and was already a great success in Amsterdam Noord in 2019. The kick-off will be on November 4th with the hostRoos Schlikker,columnist at Het Parool, and a speaker and connectorWillem Dielemantells about how a small gesture can mean something big. The kick off takes place at De Balie and can be followed via a livestream onwww.vca.nu/gappieThe goal of the campaign is to recruit 450 volunteers.

Actions

In the month of November, the city is filled with red Gappie letters throughout Amsterdam: on the streets and in public places. Online, a video can be seen where doubts about becoming a buddy are dispelled. We also travel, as long as it is safe and allowed, with flyers, coffee, tea, and a portrait poetess to markets and small-scale activities in Amsterdam. The poetess invites people for a conversation about volunteering and creates a ‘portrait poem’ on the spot for the potential volunteer. They get to take it home with them.

Volunteer work as a buddy

As a volunteer buddy, you visit someone for a period of six months to a year to help them with their situation. This help can be very practical, personal guidance, or just some company. Having a chat, exercising together, practicing language, or organizing the mail.
Check outwww.vca.nu/gappie

This campaign has been made possible by subsidies from the city districts Centrum, Zuid, and Oost and is most visible in these districts. The implementation is carried out by Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam. The organizations participating in this campaign are: Regenboog Groep, Humanitas, Prisma, Unie van Vrijwilligers, Amsterdams Buurvrouwen Contact, Cordaan, Burennetwerk, Centram, Dock, Combiwel, Dynamo, Gilde Amsterdam, Don Bosco, Voor elkaar in Zuid, Algemene Hulpdienst Buitenveldert, Markant, Leger des Heils, CIVIC, PuurZuid, School’s Cool, stichting senior&student, Buurthulp Oost, and de Voorleesexpress.