Volunteers Bas and Richard are enjoying themselves at the tool library De Blauwe Duim: “We love fixing things, having a chat, and giving advice.”
Tag: vrijwilligerswerk
Volunteer Aaldrik Zaaiman founded the Amsterdam Cultural-Historical Association, an association that organizes lectures, excursions, and courses. “I enjoy researching stories about the buildings in the city.”
Leila founded the Mother Network Foundation to support parents of children with disabilities: “We connect and build bridges.” What once started as volunteer work is now Leila’s full-time job. “By starting with volunteer work, I discovered a new side of myself and was able to walk my own path.”
The pressure on volunteers in healthcare means that there is not always a safe and clearly defined work environment. How do volunteers and volunteer coordinators deal with this situation? We discussed this with volunteer Lodewijk de Mol van Otterloo and volunteer coordinator Alexander Regeling.
At Vrouw en Vaart, women come to further develop themselves. The activities range from empowerment to vocational training and recently a Textile Repair Café. Nabila and Fatiha work here as volunteers: “When you help someone, you also feel better yourself.”
How to find volunteer work that suits you? With the help of a VCA mediator. This was also experienced by Marieke Buijs, who now cooks at BuurtBuik Amsterdam Noord and is very happy about it!
There is nothing better than feeling tired and fulfilled after a day of working outside, according to Daniella, who volunteers in the garden at De Horizon. “It relaxes you and ultimately gives you more energy again.”
Gitta Bessem is a voluntary board member at Children’s Farm De Werf in Oost. “Our volunteers come here to have a nice day, work, and learn. You can discover here how to increase your resilience for life but also how to step out of your own bubble.”

