What is it like to be a mentor to a vulnerable Amsterdam resident?

Noorderling Magda is a voluntary mentor at Stichting Mentorschap Amsterdam. She represents two residents of Amsterdam who are unable to make decisions about their medical care themselves and do not have family members who can take on this task. “It has opened up a completely different world for me, namely that of care institutions and the life that is happening within them.”In her beautiful garden in Amsterdam Noord, Magda explains how she became a mentor. “A few years ago, I started with this volunteer work. I am retired, and even though I was enjoying myself, I also wanted to do something that feels meaningful and has societal relevance. I heard something about the Mentorschap Foundation on the radio, so I decided to look into it and signed up.”

Useful

“You will receive a course and you have to familiarize yourself with social legislation. It’s a world you often know little about, so that was very useful. After that, you will be assigned a client, often people living in an institution.”

“I am retired and although I was perfectly able to entertain myself, I also wanted to do something that is useful and has social relevance.”

“The purpose of guardianship is actually to take on the role that family members would otherwise fulfill. You are there to safeguard and promote physical and mental well-being. This can be very broad, for example, you deal with housing if there are changes, but also when medication is changed or treatments need to take place, this is discussed with you and you must give permission. So, you have a lot of contact with caregivers and medical professionals. In addition, you also regularly have contact with the client, depending on the available time and the client’s needs. Personally, I visit my clients once every two weeks.”

A revelation

Volunteering has not only its business sides but also very enjoyable sides. “It’s fun to meet people in an environment you wouldn’t normally be in; in everyday life, you wouldn’t often visit a house of organizations like Cordaan or Amsta, for example. These are the kinds of institutions you know exist, but you have little reason to visit yourself.”

“I found it amazing to see how caregivers interact with clients; I found it enlightening. Before corona, I used to take one of my clients to a museum, and she loved it. It’s very nice to bring someone so much joy with something so small. That also makes the museum visit very different for me; I look at it with different eyes, namely through her eyes. Unfortunately, I have hardly been able to visit my clients in the past year due to corona, but now that both they and I are vaccinated, fortunately, it is possible again.”

Discussion

Interesting, useful, and sometimes challenging; being a mentor is not always easy. “Sometimes you have to confront caregivers, doctors, or a guardian, the person in charge of the finances. For example, when you believe that money should be allocated for certain items or when a doctor wants to stop a specific treatment. You don’t seek out confrontations, but if they are necessary, you must be willing to face them. It can be difficult at times, but it’s a matter of discussing with those involved.”

“Every six months, you have a legally required multidisciplinary meeting. Everyone involved with the client attends, and you discuss how things are going. You also participate in a peer support group with other mentors. You have contact with them every two months, sharing your experiences. Hearing about the solutions others have come up with allows you to learn as well. During these meetings, many experiences and anecdotes are exchanged, which is very enjoyable.”

Satisfaction

“The special thing about this volunteer work is the long-term relationship you build. I have been with my oldest client for over three years now, and I just want to keep doing it until I can’t anymore or until I am too old to do the work. With this volunteer work, I feel like I am doing something useful and that I can make a difference for someone else. Some people are happy to see you, and that is very rewarding. I go to places I would never normally go, it has opened up a whole different world for me, namely that of care institutions and the life that is happening within them.”

Foundation Mentoring is still looking for new mentors!

Are you interested in the position of volunteer mentor? At Mentorschap Amsterdam foundation, they are looking for new mentors. So, check out the vacancy and if it suits you, sign up.via the job board of VCAAre you looking for other volunteer opportunities?Check out other job vacancies. Text: Kiki Dusebout, VCA Media

Photo: Mark Rammers, VCA Media