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Volunteers in the spotlight
Do you know a volunteer you would like to put in the spotlight? Think of the volunteer in your organisation, a helpful acquaintance or your neighbour who helps with groceries. Who do you think deserves to be highlighted?
Team Vrijwilligerswerk cooperates with Omroep Leeuwarden for this initiative. We give the volunteer a beautiful sunflower, a certificate and the opportunity to be photographed and interviewed by a reporter from Omroep Leeuwarden. We share the story and photo (in agreement with the volunteer) on this website and social media.
Peter in the spotlight
Peter was 17 years old when he started volunteering at Youth Land. We are now 26 years on, Peter is 43 years old and has been shouting for 5 years that he is going to quit as a board member at Youth Land. He too understands that no one believes him. Because when you say Jeugdland you say Peter.
Lees here the interview
Bianca in the spotlight
Bianca has now lived in Bilgaard for 10 years, having moved here from South Holland. She is 42 years old and mother of four children, the oldest of whom is 27 and the youngest 6. Bianca has been through a lot in her life. About seven years ago, she came into contact with Wijkvereniging Bilgaard, where she started working in green spaces and behind the bar.
Read the interview here
Froukje in the spotlight
Froukje is 57 and always dreamed of a job in healthcare. Unfortunately, she did not have the right papers for it. She worked for years as a care assistant, but that offered few career opportunities. Fortunately, she later took a course and obtained her diploma as an elderly care assistant. Unfortunately, that work has since become too physically demanding due to her osteoarthritis. Now she can put her caring heart into volunteering.
Lees the interview here
Lia in the spotlight
Lia turns 70 this year, but she is by no means sitting still. More than three years ago, she started at MFC Het Mozaïek, where she arrived via Tessa - whom she knows from the residents' committee. Since then, she has become an indispensable force, including as treasurer. She is proud of that, and rightly so: thanks to her efforts, the finances are completely back in order. Lia is known as a strict but fair treasurer. Saying "no" to a request? She doesn't shy away from that.
Steffen in the spotlight
Steffen is a familiar face in the village. His story begins years ago in the old Skalm near the Jumbo, where he got involved as a volunteer in a craft club. That club still exists, but now bears the name The Meeting. Steffen still enjoys coming there, especially to make cards - something he finds great pleasure and peace in.
Lees the interview here
Jan in the spotlight
Jan is a wonderful, friendly and helpful gentleman and colleague. Jan's many years of commitment to local broadcasting in the municipality of Leeuwarden and the Historical Centre Leeuwarden as, among other things, city guide and tower keeper of the Oldehove should be extra appreciated by putting Jan in the Spotlight. His commitment to the City of Leeuwarden is enormous and very important to Jan and his environment.
Douwe in the spotlight
Dear Douwe, The other board and working group members of Biodiverstiens really appreciate your initiative and your immeasurable commitment to the Biodiverstiens foundation. You are extremely committed to promoting biodiversity in and around Stiens and you are trying to get many people enthusiastic about it. You have already succeeded in doing so with us, but we admire your perseverance and work ethic for this. You have already managed to realise a food forest. This is how you saw your personal initiative grow into a shared mission. Therefore, we think it's best to put you in the spotlight for this. We hope to work with you on a naturally thriving, diverse and healthy living environment for a long time to come". the application reads.
Jan Meindert in the spotlight
Jan-Meindert was signed up by his colleagues at Amaryllis where he has been volunteering for three years at the drop-in moment to help people find voluntary work. He does this at various locations in Leeuwarden and with great pleasure.
Annie in the spotlight
Annie has been volunteering at the Hofwijck day care centre for 10 years. Yvonne and Annie know each other from the Kwadrant Group, where Annie worked there as a domestic worker. After working there for 30 years, Annie unfortunately became completely disabled, sitting at home is nothing for Annie and so she started working as a volunteer with Yvonne.
Dick in the spotlight
Dick was nominated for the spotlight by Evelien from Rehabilitation Centre Friesland. Dick has been volunteering for over 20 years. He has a visual impairment, with one eye he sees nothing and the other eye he has 5% vision, which used to be a bit better. Because of this impairment, he could never really get started in ordinary work while he likes to be busy. A quote from Pippi Longstocking fits Dick very well: "I've never done it before, so I think I can do it." Dick doesn't let his visual impairment hold him back!
Wim in the spotlight
After more than seven years of volunteering with District Team East Centre, Wim truly retired on Tuesday 11 February. That seemed like the perfect time for Wout from Amaryllis to put Wim in the limelight for a while.
Gerard in the spotlight
Gerard has been a volunteer at thrift shop The Golden Oldies Shop and Stichting Uitstapjes voor Ouderen Friesland for many years. He dedicates himself during outings, working in the shop and does an awful lot behind the scenes.
Sietske in the spotlight
Sietske has been volunteering at Het Andere Wonen Leeuwarden for 1.5 years, here she does all kinds of things to put a smile on the residents' faces. Sietske did not consciously sign up as a volunteer, but it came about by chance.
Theo in the spotlight
"Theo is busy daily keeping the shop running and organising various trips that are offered as cheaply as possible. He has been working for years for the elderly in Swettehiem and enjoys being able to give them a nice day. For example, the elderly of the district have been to the tour by buses for a bargain. He organises trips for the elderly that take into account people with wheelchairs and have help from attendants."
Johan in the spotlight
Johan was nominated by his colleagues from Buddy to Buddy and Sedrana. This is what they say about him: "Dear Johan, many thanks for your commitment! Both for Sedrana and Buddy to Buddy, you are now indispensable. Thank you for your enthusiasm, the valuable connections you make and your heart for the group."
Jeja and Watze in the spotlight
Jeja and Watze were recommended by a cooperation partner. This is the message to them: "Thank you for the fine cooperation! You have a heart of gold and deserve this!"
