“The best decision of my life”

Stichting de Brug is a community center for local residents in Geuzenveld. They call it the Multicultural living room. The maintenance of the building is in voluntary hands, including Rob’s. “I can be myself here, I can do what I enjoy the most, fixing things. When you come, the coffee is ready, sandwiches, snacks, cookies. The warm feeling I have received here is very special.”When entering the building, one steps into a different world, with many spaces; meeting rooms, living room, kitchen, consultation rooms, and a large basement. It is filled to the brim with all kinds of paraphernalia from old dinnerware, maps, paintings, teddy bears to pendulum clocks, and much more. Additionally, there is a spacious garden with a stage.

In the 1950s, the Sisters of Divine Providence and the Crosier Fathers established themselves here. They were involved in social work and cared for lonely residents. In 1983, the sisters initiated the Bridge Foundation, with the aim of enabling encounters for all residents of Geuzenveld, Slotermeer, and the surrounding area who feel the need. The center is run by volunteers. They facilitate various activities daily, from cooking together, eating, singing to consultations with a dietitian and lawyer. The maintenance team is responsible for daily upkeep. One of these two members is Rob.

Jelle Bellen

When Rob, now 58 years old, was fully disabled a few years ago, he didn’t want to sit around doing nothing. “I wanted to contribute in some way that people could be happy with. I didn’t have any experience with volunteering, so I Googled a bit. That’s when I saw the Volunteer Center Amsterdam and thought: that’s the one for me. That’s how I got in touch with Jelle, a mediator in Nieuw-West, and he suggested The Bridge as a possibility. And you know what? I had never heard of it. I live nearby and walk past it eighty thousand times and didn’t know it! So I went inside and was amazed. After that, I had a conversation with Hans Staphorsius, the chairman, and we immediately clicked. That’s how it all started four years ago.”

Rob became a handyman: “We fix everything that needs to be repaired, from the garden to down in the basement.” And, it must be said, the results are impressive. In the garden, there is a real stage, beautifully finished with wooden planks, and in the basement, Rob is working on creating an ingenious storage system for the countless paintings in the building. Formally, Rob doesn’t have a background or training in fixing things. But from a young age, he had to help his father with renovating buildings. This made him a true handyman, which is now paying off very well.

My second home

Meanwhile, the Bridge feels like a second home, even though Rob can only be present one day a week due to his illness. “Calling Jelle was the best decision of my life, because that’s how I ended up here. I can be myself here, I can do what I enjoy the most, working on projects, and Hans allows me quite a bit of freedom to contribute my own ideas. It’s always cozy here. When you come, the coffee is ready, sandwiches, snacks, cookies, in the summer we sit in the garden. Sometimes we have a beer… and the beautiful thing is, you’re not obligated to anything.”

“Hans has embraced me. He has actually adopted me as a son. He has helped and supported me tremendously, even with my kidney dialysis. The warm feeling I have received here… that’s why I say, the first step I took in here was the best one I ever made.”

Biggest dream

Rob’s days are quickly filled with [brand name], visits to the hospital several days a week, caregiving for his parents, and in the summer fishing and boating on the Sloterplas. His biggest dream for the future is to get a new kidney. He is on a waiting list for that. Until then, and probably even after, they can count on him at [brand name]. “I still like it after four years. As for [brand name], they will never get me away from here. Tell Jelle we don’t need to call anymore!”

Are you also interested in volunteering?

Choose something that suits you. Inour online job boardYou will find 1001 possibilities.Or come by one of our consultations without any obligation. Here you are speaking with Jelle or one of our other mediators.Interview: Piet Renooy
Photo: Marcel Jansen