Young people are committed to supporting young people with disabilities

Volunteering is not just something you do for others – it also gives back surprisingly much to yourself. For young people, it is also a valuable way to escape the pressure of study or work. You step out of your own bubble and meet people you would never otherwise come into contact with. It’s fun, educational, and valuable. Gerben knows this better than anyone. Despite his busy job, he consciously makes time to volunteer through De Zonnebloem Jong Amsterdam to help young people with physical disabilities. This is a non-translatable content. “I just make time for it, because it is 100% worth it. It really gives you a different perspective on life.” Every fourth Saturday of the month, Gerben volunteers through the National Association De Zonnebloem for young people with physical disabilities. In addition, he has a busy job in consultancy.

From good intention to lasting commitment

“At our office, the idea was suggested to also do something in the field of volunteering. This is how I ended up at the Zonnebloem Jong Amsterdam department in 2020. I enjoyed it so much that I am still active there and have taken on more tasks, such as organization. We are the only branch that organizes activities specifically for young people, and there is a real need for that. Young people simply have different interests and desires than older people.”

Activities that truly connect with young people

In addition to meeting on Saturdays, we also organize outings to museums, zoos, or the beach. Sometimes we also do something one-on-one. For example, if someone wants to go to a concert, there is often a volunteer who will join them.

Learning to put things into perspective through special encounters

“Young people we work with – as well as the volunteers incidentally – come from all layers of society. Some have been in a wheelchair since birth, others are chronically ill. There is also someone who had a successful career but ended up in a wheelchair and lost everything after a stroke. Through their stories, you learn to put things into perspective. It makes me grateful for my own situation. It is inspiring to see how someone in a wheelchair can be grateful for what they do have. That makes you think.”

A close-knit group with room for new faces

“Because it is a fairly stable group, you really build relationships and get to know people well. You see each other regularly and eventually know what someone’s life looks like.
Unfortunately, finding new volunteers is often difficult. Sometimes I try to get people from my own circle excited, and some stick around. There are also occasional sign-ups through the De Zonnebloem website. It is very accessible: you don’t have to come every time. You just let us when know you have time and feel like it. It really has to come from within yourself. If you don’t enjoy it yourself, it’s not good for the other person either.”

Good for others and for yourself

“At first, you do it for someone else, but ultimately, you also help yourself. Of course, you have to learn certain things. On my first day, I had no idea what to do. I had never pushed a wheelchair before and thought that you just had to gain speed and push hard when approaching a step. That turned out to be a bad idea – my guest almost fell out of his chair!”

Safe haven for those in need

You learn quickly, and you notice how much you mean to the guests. It is impressive to see how much perseverance they have, despite everything they have been through. A girl said at her farewell that she had always found a safe haven with us and that this had encouraged her to undertake other things as well. For people in need, it really feels like a warm bath.”

Do you also want to discover what volunteering can bring you?

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Do something specific with the Sunflower? Look here! Or here if you are specifically in Amsterdam West want to do something. Photos: Huub Zeeman
Text: Martina Koster