Help at a thrift store, driver for a van or helping someone with the Dutch language: on the volunteer platform NLvoorelkaar you will find many activities around the holidays that you can register for. This can be structural, but also one-off. Spokesperson Anne van Roosmalen sees a sharp increase in interest around the holidays from people who want to do something ‘good’ for someone else.
Volunteer work comes in all kinds of forms, but what stands head and shoulders above the rest are the requests for people looking for company. Every year, about 40 percent of all applications are about loneliness.
Not scientifically proven
But the fact that lonely people need an extra hand or attention, especially during Christmas, has not been scientifically researched, sociologist Theo van Tilburg emphasizes. He conducts research into loneliness. According to him, people expect lonely people to feel extra lonely during the holidays, but in practice those people also feel that outside of those days. “People also prepare for a Christmas alone,” he says.
According to Van Tilburg, it can be explained that there may be more people who feel lonely around Christmas. “It is winter and dark outside. These are really family days. Media and advertisements also emphasize this.”
Although one-off volunteer work is often highly appreciated, according to Van Roosmalen, it is not clear whether those one-off Christmas outings have a lasting impact. “Many activities are organized during the holidays, but it has not actually been proven that it really helps,” says Van Tilburg. He sees two sides to the activities that are organised. “It’s nice that something is organised, but those people go home alone afterwards.”
Sustainable and personal contact
Van Tilburg does see the activities during the holidays as a stepping stone towards more contact. “If you make sure that it does not stop at that one Christmas meal, but that you maintain contact.” According to him, this helps someone much more than an incidental activity. “Sustainable and truly personal contact, that is important.”
Van Roosmalen also sees a good deed during the holidays as a good stepping stone to more contact. “We often hear that people stay in touch with each other after a Christmas meal. Often because it is so cozy and close to their own home.”
But structural volunteer work can sometimes feel like a barrier for many people. In addition to a job, your own household and family, it is sometimes difficult to find the time, although many people are positive about it. That is why Van Roosmalen has a few concrete tips, so that you can receive structural attention from someone:
Video calling
Loneliness also affects people who are integrating, who are often young and mobile people. You can also simply make video calls with each other. I started making video calls while cooking. Then you immediately have something to talk about. Then we show each other how you cook, immediately take Dutch lessons. Then you can easily bring volunteer work into your own routine.
Relay Volunteering
You see this in older target groups. Then you do something with an older person, which may be too much for you to do alone every week. You can also form a group and talk about it together. Then, for example, the four of you can go every week. Then the older person sees someone every week and you only have to go once a month. Also a good tip. Nice tip to do with your colleagues!