Report: Erik Scherder on the importance of volunteering for your brain

The afternoon was opened by Henriette van der Meij from Volunteer Center Amsterdam. She talked about what VCA does. Volunteers create new connections every day. They connect with Amsterdammers who need their help. VCA helps volunteers find a good place and the knowledge and skills to do the work well. And that is important, without volunteers, there would be a lot fewer beautiful connections.Martin Berendse, director of the OBA, then briefly talked about the origin of the OBA. Arising from enthusiastic volunteers. A central place in Amsterdam, with the aim of helping each other. This is still happening with the help of volunteers, and to this day, they strive to connect the people of Amsterdam.

Longer and mentally fit

Then it was time for Professor Erik Scherder. He enthusiastically started his presentation. For over an hour, the audience was taken on a journey into how the brain works. The brain was examined from all angles. Each area of the brain plays a role in making connections. The most important substance, myelin, is essential for healthy brains. And because Erik Scherder enjoys physical activity, he also had the audience engage in some exercises halfway through. Everyone had to squat and make gestures with their hands for 3 minutes. We should do this more often, challenge ourselves physically for a few minutes every half hour. This way, you will live longer and also stay mentally sharp for longer.It was an engaging lecture, during which Scherder constantly checked with the audience to make sure he was still understandable. The workings of the brain are indeed complex. To emphasize this, Scherder would regularly have the audience applaud. A round of applause for the brain, for ourselves, for the substance myelin that works so hard to allow the brain to form new connections. And so the hour flew by.

After this interesting hour-long lesson on the brain, prospective volunteers could ‘hit the market’. In the theater lobby, various organizations were set up where you could sign up as a volunteer, or at least inquire for more information. Of course, discussing the lecture afterwards was also an option and that was done extensively!

It was a beautiful and super interesting afternoon. We are very happy that we could treat a packed audience to this inspiration.

Photos: VCA Media/Kitty de Jong. The photos arehereTo view.

Text: Live and Learn!