While hiking across the country, Pascale (56) and her buddy (73) discuss what's on their minds
."I work for an assistance agency in Amsterdam. When, due to corona, we had to start working from home, it did start to itch a bit. My world got smaller very quickly. I noticed a lack of meaning. A colleague introduced me to volunteer work, which appealed to me. For myself to be meaningful, but also to help: it was a difficult period for many people and loneliness is lurking. I quickly found De Regenboog Groep on the Internet.
1-on-1 buddy
Of all the volunteer opportunities available at De Regenboog, becoming a buddy for a lonely fellow city dweller was the one that suited me best. I myself once suffered from depression and I like the fact that, with that experience and knowledge, I can help someone else. I then applied and immediately started taking a course at the Volunteer Academy. This way, before I was matched with someone, I could discover if it was something for me. This became clear right away! I also liked the fact that there were so many young people.
In volunteer mode
.This training made me even more enthusiastic, so I e-mailed the coordinator that I was ready for a coupling: rather today than tomorrow! Then I was introduced to a man of 73. I didn't really know what to expect yet, so I automatically went into the caregiver role, thinking I needed to take someone under my healing wings. But as it turned out, he had his life very pretty much in order. He's just someone who doesn't connect easily. He has no wife and no children and is actually a bit of an oddball who does things his way. Because of that, as well as the corona period, he had become quite lonely.
Sentence
.We both like very long walks, so that's what we do. Do we talk all the time? No, actually not that much. It's a bit about what's on our minds. For me it is meaningful: I make someone happy with a conversation and it is also nice to get out of town for a while. I let him surprise me, because he likes to set out long walking routes. We don't get lost, because they are in his head. I can also suggest routes, but he knows so many.
Real contact
.I feel comfortable with him and our contact is very natural. This is also because of my course at the Volunteer Academy: there I immediately learned to never make false promises. I am someone who sometimes can feel too fast, too much compassion, then that lesson is extra valuable!"
Text: Sander Kersten and Jola Gosen | Image: Tessa Posthuma de Boer
Do like Pascale. Become a buddy.