“Thanks to volunteering, I found a job that suits me perfectly”

Hilke has always had fun but quite challenging jobs. Until she got completely stuck and didn’t want to do anything for two years. Her therapist advised her after a while: ‘Maybe volunteering is something for you?’ That’s how she ended up behind the bar at community center De Boomsspijker. “I was skeptical about this at first, but I had no other choice. Gradually, I flourished again. This even helped me to get back to a paid job!”“Work that didn’t require much thinking, that’s what I needed at that time. Pouring drinks, making connections, and above all, not too much pressure. I felt more and more at ease behind the bar in the community center. I enjoyed chatting with the visitors about all sorts of things. After a while, I was asked to take on more responsibilities. I was happy with this idea, so I started actively reaching out to residents in the neighborhood and, in collaboration with the community worker, looking for key figures and influencers.”

A breakpoint

How different it was a few years earlier. I had always had fun but quite challenging jobs: branch manager of a temp agency, recruitment, human resources, and office manager at a real estate group. During the week, I wore a suit and heels, and on the weekends, I wore jeans and sneakers. But the work no longer suited me, I decided to resign, and then ended up in the creative sector, at an architecture and design firm and a company of creative marketers. The salary was considerably lower; a quarter of what I used to earn.” She left her last employer in an unpleasant way. “That really affected me. It was a breaking point. All the misery from the past resurfaced. For two years, I didn’t want to do anything.”

“Fortunately, I found a therapy that helped me get back on my feet. The therapists advised me: ‘Maybe doing volunteer work is something for you?’ And that’s how I ended up at an information session of Volunteer Center Amsterdam (VCA). I didn’t hold back here. Together we looked at suitable volunteer work, and that’s how I ended up at the community center.”

What an opportunity

“During a team meeting at the community center, I heard about a paid job opening at the BOB Helps foundation. They support residents on the Eastern Islands towards (volunteer) work, internships, and/or education. They were looking for an office assistant for 20 hours a week. A paid neighborhood job, that seemed tailor-made for me. Despite my uncertainty – I thought I would never be invited for an interview – I wrote a cover letter. And, I was invited for an interview. I immediately clicked with project manager Chiquita and was hired. Wow.”“I was quite the old one and knew: I have to be busy to flourish. When the new Neighborhood Room was established, I immediately told Chiquita that I also liked that,” says Hilke enthusiastically. “Together with a board member, I furnished the neighborhood room. Recently, we had a talk show here with 43 people listening to an urban planner and an architect who designed the place.” Chiquita adds: “We make the Neighborhood Room available to the people in the neighborhood who can decide for themselves what they want to do there. People who, for example, are on social assistance often have a distance to the labor market. We want to link employment to the people in the neighborhood who need guidance. Soon we will also start a women’s project.”

The end?

In December, Hilke’s job is likely to end because the BOB Helpt foundation itself has no money and relies on subsidies. “Too bad, because in the last few weeks, things are starting to fall into place,” notes Hilke. “My evaluation was pretty good, with some critical feedback as well. I receive guidance from Chiquita and also have an external coach. But I still hope to continue working at BOB Helpt after December. And if that doesn’t happen, I’m sure I’ll find my way again, I have that confidence by now!”

Interested in doing volunteer work?

In our job board, there are hundreds of fun volunteer opportunities. For every talent and schedule.Search online or make an appointment at one of our consultation hours.Photos: Jackie Mulder