A buddy in corona time
Attention for each other with the buddy project
Below you can read the story of Eefje Heesterbeek, who as a professional at Cordaad Welzijn is responsible for the buddy project, among other things. The corona period had direct consequences for the work of Eefje and the many volunteers of this organization.
Activities of Cordaad Welzijn
Cordaad Welzijn is committed to people in a vulnerable situation. These can be elderly people with a small social network, informal carers or people who have difficulty with their administration. Cordaad Welzijn is a welfare organization that operates in the municipalities of Valkenswaard, Cranendonck, Heeze-Leende and Veldhoven and that, in addition to its commitment to informal carers, also focuses on young people and refugees.
In the Kempen we work with eight professionals. Together we manage about 250 volunteers who are committed to the people in the Kempen. We do this in different ways. For example, we support people with their administration, we coordinate various self-help groups, we support (young) informal carers, our volunteers support people and their loved ones in a final phase of life and our volunteers visit people who need more social contact. We call this last group of volunteers buddies and I am the coordinator.
Switching
When the coronavirus shut down our country for the first time in March 2020, we immediately stopped our services and asked our volunteers to maintain contact with their client in other ways.
Cards were sent and people waved at the window. Calls were made by telephone, but also by computer. For many of my volunteers it was a switch; this time called for a different way of helping clients.
When we were allowed to start again in June, many volunteers couldn't wait to start again. They had missed the physical visits!
A world of difference
Corona has also brought insights. Where some volunteers for corona sometimes visited someone for a whole afternoon, they have now noticed that it is not about the length of the visit. The mere fact that you visit someone else, inform how someone else is doing and pay attention to the other person makes a world of difference.
dark days
From the autumn, the number of people calling on us increased. The winter months have always been difficult for the people we visit, but this year it is even more so.
Two years with corona
We are now almost two years later and we continue to provide our services. This is of course also up to the volunteers themselves. I am in constant contact with volunteers and I give them the space to make their own choice: if something doesn't feel right, don't do it. Or talk to the other person and try to find a solution together. Even now there are volunteers who do not visit physically but maintain contact by telephone.
New volunteers
Recently I have seen an increase in younger volunteers. So nice to notice! They are enthusiastic people who see the loneliness around them and who want to mean something to someone else. Sometimes from an assignment for school, sometimes also for own reasons.
It is nice to see that a new group of volunteers now feels addressed.
Are you also interested in visiting someone? We have several open applications. I would be happy to talk to you to see if I can link you to one of our clients. You can send me an email or call me on 06-58797156. All requests for help in the municipality of Eersel can also be found at www.eerselvoorelkaar.nl
As a buddy you make the difference
Heart for Lunet care
Heart for Lunet care Below you can read the story of Stien Bloks, former volunteer work consultant at Lunet Zorg. Mia, one of the volunteers from Lunet care, also speaks. These are turbulent times for the employees, volunteers and clients of this healthcare organization. The consequences of the corona measures had and still have a major impact on the work of her and the many volunteers at Lunet Zorg. Nice to read how the organization and the volunteers take every opening that is given to care for the clients of Lunet. Lunet care in corona time; searching for a balance between safety and quality of life for everyone with flexibility and creativity “You probably know Lunet Zorg. Our organization supports approximately 2,700 people with an intellectual disability at almost 100 different residential and day-care locations and at home in the Eindhoven region and our Kempen." "But Lunet care is more! With almost 1,100 volunteers, Lunet care is also one of the major volunteer organizations in the region. It's so nice to see that there are so many people who put their heart and soul into volunteering for this target group. For me, it remains wonderful work to connect people who want to work with us as volunteers to the right place and to clients that suit them. And you notice that Lunet care with the De Donksbergen residential park in Duizel, the various group homes in the middle of our residential areas and the many activities for young and old, such as the Truck Run, Motorcycle Day and fair on the Donksbergen, really belongs to the municipality of Eersel and the Kempen. " Organize corona-proof activities "When corona was diagnosed in the Netherlands two years ago, tough times began for clients, their loved ones, employees and volunteers of Lunet care. The ever-changing corona measures continuously asked for flexibility and creativity. It is a daily search for the the right balance between safety and quality of life. We as employees, together with volunteers, are committed to this with great dedication." "Mia Antonis is one of our volunteers. Mia has been supporting clients for 8 years by helping with all kinds of activities at the De Donksbergen residential park in Duizel. When Lunet Zorg reopened its doors for volunteer activities with clients in July last year after a partial closure due to corona Mia was the first to get there.” wonderful to see clients enjoying themselves! “I wanted to do something for the clients,” says Mia. “I think their world is already so small and it only became smaller due to the lockdown. By organizing activities for 2 or 3 residential groups at a time, we could still see clients enjoying themselves. I think that's great! Activities have stopped again since December due to rising infections. I miss the clients terribly again. Anita Willen and Patrick Verdonschot, from the Leisure Department, organized the activities in such a way that volunteers could keep their distance from clients. The volunteers provided the drinks behind the bar during the disco evening. Anita and Patrick then brought the drinks to the tables where the clients were swinging in their chairs. Partly due to the alertness of the employees, I did not feel unsafe during my volunteer work.” Lunet care thinks along with volunteers “Every volunteer experiences the time in which corona is still present in his or her own way and makes his or her own decisions about what feels good and safe for him or her. Lunet Zorg fully understands this. In any case, we look forward to welcoming all volunteers safely again." "Would you like to explore volunteer work at Lunet Zorg? Our offer is diverse. The new volunteer consultant, Stien's successor, Patricia Peters, is happy to think with you about options that suit you. You can reach her via, among others, Telefoonwerk@lunetzorg.nl or 088-5515610. And good to know: all volunteer vacancies in the municipality of Eersel can also be found at www.eerselvoorelkaar.nl. You can also easily orientate yourself via the website and the volunteer work support center Eerselvoorelkaar respond to the questions.” Heart for the clients of Lunet care Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Forward
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