Do you recognise that? You have some spare time and would like to spend it usefully? You can do so, for example, by becoming a buddy in the Etten-Leur municipality. Because as a buddy, you can mean so much to someone else! Volunteer Mike can confirm this. Seven years ago, he became a buddy at Surplus.

Mike, along with his first client, tells how he experienced and still experiences this: “Seven years ago, I found myself sitting at home and read an article in the newspaper, it was an appeal for buddies. This was followed by a conversation with Petra, buddy consultant at Surplus. At this introduction, we talked about my interests and got to know each other.”

Buddy training first
Before volunteers start working as buddies, they undergo training. This way, they come to people's homes well prepared. Mike remembers well when he completed his buddy training and Petra had a client. “Someone who had similar interests. So I went with Petra to meet Toon and there was an instant click!”

Incredibly laughed
Toon also joined the conversation. At the time of the first contact, Toon was rehabilitating after a brain attack and could remember very few things. That was where Toon's question lay and that was where Mike could help him further. Mike: “It's always a bit of a test at first, what can or can't be done and what not yet. In the beginning, we talked a lot. Toon forgot a lot, so we started training this. Like during a trip to the supermarket or a fixed walk around the block. And when this improved, Toon was allowed to navigate by himself.” Toon laughs and adds: “And this really didn't go well right away, how we laughed about this.”

Evaluating together
Things kept improving with Toon. In principle, a buddy programme lasts two years. Petra says: “In between, we evaluate regularly and after a year a joint evaluation takes place. In this we discuss where someone stands and where further help is needed to achieve the set goal.” After two years, the buddy programme with Mike and Toon was completed. With one half-day session a week, Mike was able to mean a lot and help Toon go through life more independently. When asked what buddy work has brought him personally, Mike replied, “I can learn from others and they can learn from me. Together we can get there!”

Become a buddy too?
Or learn a little more about what it entails? Just an hour a week can mean so much! Sign up and get started as a buddy! Apply to Petra de Kramer, petra.dekramer@surplus.nl or call 0162 74 86 00.