Success comes with small steps

Audrey has always been socially involved. She worked with children, refugees, and patients in rehabilitation. For a few years now, she has been giving tennis lessons to young people at Only Friends, a sports club for children and young people with disabilities.“In the job bank of the Volunteer Center Amsterdam, I found a volunteer job as a sports coach at Only Friends in the Friendship Sports Centre. After a conversation with the founder, I could start right away. I now give tennis lessons two afternoons a week to young people with disabilities. Children with Down syndrome or autism come here, others are in a wheelchair or wear a prosthesis. Success comes in small steps, you need a lot of patience. When someone manages to make a good swing after months of my constant guidance, my day is completely made!”

The children are in charge

“The atmosphere at the Friend Sports Centre is incredibly fun. That is the influence of the founder, Dennis Gebbink. He is a father of a son with a disability and is full of Amsterdam humor. There is no overly cautious handling of the hundreds of children here, and we just joke around with them. The children are the focus. They are the bosses here, and we are here to serve their enjoyment. Sports are incredibly important, especially for them, and there are professional facilities here for all kinds of sports. You can see how much fun they have here and how their parents also enjoy it. This is incredibly rewarding work.”

Raise funds

“With a group of volunteers and children, I have developed a special bond. You work together on something very beautiful, have fun together, and see people enjoy and progress. Only Friends also regularly organizes parties to celebrate whatever there is to celebrate. For example, charity events with various well-known Dutch celebrities, because a lot of money has to be raised every year. Even then, the children are the focus. With his speech, our founder always manages to make everyone cry. Then, the volunteers walk with a child through the room to the stage amidst loud applause. Goosebumps!”Photos: Kitty de Jong
Text: Sonja Remkes

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