Around memorial days, such as 4 and 5 May, Marion (66), volunteer at the Luisterlijn in Den Bosch, notes that war still lives with people. People share old memories or express their concerns about current wars. “Listening is the most important. Just being there for someone. That is often enough.”
Since the beginning of this year, the volunteers of the Luisterlijn had almost two hundred conversations about the Second World War. In addition, it was about 770 conversations about other wars in, among others, Ukraine and Gaza.
“Not many people call specifically about war, but it is regularly discussed,” says Marion. She has been a volunteer at the Luisterlijn in Den Bosch for more than five years. “That shows that there is a need to talk about.”
The listening line is a helpline where people can talk anonymously about their concerns, fears or memories. The volunteers mainly offer a listening ear. Around the commemoration of the dead and liberation day it is regularly about war in conversations. “Those days can evoke old memories or fears,” Marion explains. “The emotions are often the same: worries, fear and a sense of insecurity.”
Marion and her colleagues not only come into contact with people who have experienced a war themselves, but also with their children and grandchildren. In addition, they sometimes hear stories from people who have fled from war zones. “The conversations are very different, but they have one thing in common: everyone wants to tell their story.”
“War always has consequences for both parties.”
Marion knows how valuable it can be for people to call the listening line. “A woman in the ninety years called to share her experiences of the war in the Dutch East Indies. It was the first time she could tell her story. That touched me because it showed how important it is to be heard.”
Because of her story, Marion changed her view of that war. “I always had a judgment, because my father was sent to the Dutch East Indies against his will as a soldier. But because of her story I understood the other side of the situation. It made it clear to me that war always has consequences and suffering for both parties.”
“I’m glad I can be there for people.”
The volunteers of the Luisterlijn are trained to really listen without taking over judgment or emotions. “I can move all the way in someone, nothing is too crazy. I listen with my heart,” says Marion. “Then the conversation will automatically start, whatever someone experiences or tells.”
The 66-year-old volunteer has around six to eight conversations per week. No matter how intense some stories are, Marion also gets energy out of it. “I am happy that I can be there for people so that they can tell their story.”
Call the listening line
The listening line is available 24 hours a day, 7 a week for everyone who needs a confidential conversation. You can call 088 07 67 000. Chat or email via Deluisterlijn.nl.