VCA supports the manifesto ‘Healthy aging is done together’, a call to healthcare to engage in dialogue with us

We have the Manifest‘Healthy aging is done together’signed by Professor of Health Economics Marcel Canoy and call on healthcare parties to engage with us and other volunteer organizations in discussions on how to achieve a fruitful and equal partnership. Because simply reducing laws and regulations is not sufficient.VCA recognizes the urgency of giving more space to volunteer initiatives in neighborhoods: care is becoming unaffordable, and well-being is an important factor in a healthy life in all its aspects. Therefore, low-threshold, mainly preventive, informal care with volunteers is an important player in keeping care affordable.

We are committed to the principle that volunteer work is done voluntarily

We see the dilemmas of healthcare professionals and their waiting lists. We see the dilemmas of volunteer coordinators who want to help residents who do not receive home care, but also do not have a volunteer available. Because volunteers willing to take on heavy responsibilities are scarce.

We advocate for the principle that volunteering should be done willingly. The essence of volunteering is that you do something in your free time, driven by your own motivation and what it brings to you. Because you find it enjoyable, meaningful, or interesting.

Yes, there is a lot of voluntary energy, but it cannot be dictated from the outside.

Our concern with this manifesto is that the collaboration with volunteers is currently being approached from a crisis situation. We need to involve more volunteers in addressing questions and situations that formal parties can no longer resolve, and that insurers no longer want or can afford to pay for. Not based on what value volunteers can and want to add. As if by eliminating a few difficult rules and laws, an army of volunteers will be ready and the problem will be solved. That’s why we are cautious about the statement: “We see a tremendous amount of energy in society to streamline long-term care.” Yes, there is a lot of voluntary energy, but it cannot be determined from the outside.

We strongly agree with the remark that even initiatives that have proven themselves for years in both financial and material terms are not structurally funded or cannot expand. The finances to sustainably, safely, and in collaboration with other parties shape volunteer initiatives are lacking on a structural basis. Every year, a subsidy application must be submitted again. And every year, there are cuts in welfare. As long as guiding voluntary energy is not structurally funded, this hinders an equal partnership between formal and informal care parties to bring about a change in how we care for each other.

How do we involve voluntary energy in an equal manner?

So yes: more space for volunteer initiatives, we applaud that. How do we involve voluntary energy in a fruitful and equal manner? We invite care parties and administrators to join forces with existing societal organizations and initiatives and to utilize our collective expertise. To explore together what is needed to involve voluntary energy in this transformation.

Are you interested? Call or emailHenriette van der MeijDirector-Manager of Volunteer Center Amsterdam.