Eefjes buddy project

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 Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward

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