Ria is a hostess at Amsterdam UMC

Every Monday evening, Ria volunteers at the Guest House of the Amsterdam UMC at the VUmc location. A place where people can stay overnight for a small contribution when they need to be at the hospital very early or when they have family or friends in the hospital. Ria: “It’s beautiful that you can help people in such a difficult period for them, without actually doing anything strange or extraordinary.”The VU guesthouse exudes a warm and homely atmosphere. One of the first things that catches the eye is the colorful flowers on the table. It’s one of the things that Ria has recently been arranging with another volunteer, but that’s not all. “You are a hostess and do a bit of everything. You answer the phone to take a reservation, we inform and welcome people when they arrive (check-in and check-out), and we make sure everything stays tidy. For example, we prepare the guest rooms, wash the bedding and towels, and keep the kitchen clean. In addition, you also have contact with the guests, and that’s actually the most enjoyable part. People stay here for various reasons, for example, if they have an early appointment at the hospital and they come from Texel or Maastricht, they often stay here for a night and then they can go straight to the hospital from here. The stories or conversations you have with them are very beautiful, and I also learn things from them. I try not to only talk about their illness or recovery because people are more than just the reason they are here. I always try to have a broader conversation with someone, and I notice that they appreciate that.”

“I find sitting still boring”

Sitting still is not for Ria. She prefers to keep busy all day long. For years, she has been doing all kinds of volunteer work. “I have been retired for almost four years now, and I have always done volunteer work on weekends. Then I thought, I really need something for weekdays because I just can’t sit still, I find that so boring. So I signed up at the volunteer center near me. You could leave a profile there of what you have done and what you would like to do. That’s how, 2.5 years ago, I ended up here. This was during the time of the coronavirus, so almost everything stopped in terms of volunteer work, I was therefore very happy when they called. That’s how I also got through that corona time quite well myself.”

“I am actually just being myself”

“People are so grateful. Many people come and already say ‘what a nice entrance’. We always get something to drink and take the time to explain everything. They find that very nice in itself, but also being able to be here. We always receive very kind cards and people write very kind things in our guestbook. That gratitude, that’s actually why you do it. You can’t take away why they come here, but that little bit to make it just a bit easier for them or that chat that just lightens the mood, that you can do. Sometimes I wonder what special thing am I doing? I’m actually just being myself here. And that’s okay and that’s nice. By just being who you are, that you’re already helping people, isn’t that wonderful? I always go home with a good feeling, thinking that it was a nice service or that sometimes I could have made a difference for someone just a bit more explicitly.”

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Ria enjoys volunteering at the Guest House and has no plans to stop anytime soon. “This year I will turn 70, and then I think, oh the next one is 80, and how boring it would look if you could never do anything again. I try to have or do something every day. There are people here who have been working for 25 years, from the beginning. Also, people who are already in their 80s. They never say from management that you have to leave, but they always look at how it can work. I also really appreciate that they make use of my qualities. It’s just really fun, and I hope I can keep doing it for a long time.”

Want to do volunteer work?

In our job board, there are hundreds of fun volunteer tasks. For every talent and schedule.Search online or make an appointment with one of our mediatorsHello.Interview: Kiki Dusebout
Photos: Kitty de Jong