News
Becoming a Buddy: The Quiet Power of Showing Up
Some of the most meaningful volunteering doesn't happen at a big event or helping out at your local food bank. It happens over coffee, on a slow walk through the park, or a visit to The Haagse Markt. This is what it means to be a buddy: to offer someone your steady presence, week after week, and to let an ordinary friendship do something extraordinary.
Being a buddy is one of the simplest forms of volunteering, and also one of the most powerful. You don't need special qualifications or a background in social work. You need time, patience, and a genuine willingness to connect with another person. In return, you often gain far more than you expected. To be a buddy through a Dutch non-profit organisation, you usually must apply for a certificate of conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG) as you would be helping a vulnerable person.
Who needs a buddy?
There are many people who could use a friendly, reliable companion, and buddy programmes exist to match volunteers with those who would benefit most.
You might become a buddy for someone who feels lonely. Loneliness can affect anyone, at any age, and it rarely announces itself. A person recovering from illness, or someone who has recently lost a partner may go days without a real conversation. A weekly visit or call can break that silence and remind them that they matter. Many people who grew up in The Netherlands are fluent in English, sometimes in German or French as well. It would be interesting for them to converse with someone who can compare life in The Netherlands and another country. Expect to learn new perspectives and better understand why things are done a certain way in The Netherlands. You will likely find some shared interests or experience of having grown up in the countryside or big city. You could be playing chess, visiting museums or going for a walk in the woods of The Hague. A local would know about the many free or affordable cultural events in the region.
You might choose to be a buddy for an elderly person. As people grow older, their social circles often shrink. Friends pass away, children move to other cities, and mobility becomes harder. For an older person, a regular visitor to share stories, play a game of cards, or simply sit with over tea can be the highlight of the week. And the stories you hear in return, decades of life, history, and hard-won wisdom, are a gift in themselves. Several retirement homes in The Hague area look for volunteers to go on a group walk with their residents who are in a wheelchair. What a nice way for them to chit chat outdoors with you breaking the boredom of only spending time in their rooms and cafeterias.
You might support a refugee who is new to The Hague. Arriving in a new country is disorienting: an unfamiliar language, a maze of paperwork, customs that feel strange, and few people to turn to. As a buddy who speaks their mother tongue, you could help them understand how to navigate public transport. You become a bridge into a new life, and often a friend who shows that this new place can feel like home.
Some people volunteer as a buddy for a child. Some children grow up without enough positive attention, or face challenges at home that make life heavier than it should be. A dependable adult, someone who turns up, listens, and cheers them on, can make a lasting difference. You don't have to fix anything. You just have to be there, consistently, in a way a child can count on. This is especially suitable if you already speak Dutch and have had children who were educated in the Dutch school system.
What does a buddy actually do?
The honest answer is: not much, and everything. Buddies go for walks, share meals, help with small practical tasks, attend appointments, or simply talk. The activities are almost beside the point. What matters is the relationship, the sense that someone has chosen to spend time with you, without being paid to and without being obliged to.
Most buddy programmes ask for a modest but regular commitment, often an hour or two a week over several months. That consistency is the whole idea. Trust is built slowly, and the value of a buddy grows the longer you stay.
What you gain
People often sign up to give something, and are surprised by how much they receive. Buddies describe a deep sense of purpose, new perspectives on life, and friendships that cross generations and cultures. Helping someone else has a way of putting your own worries into proportion, and few things feel better than knowing you've genuinely brightened another person's week. There's also good evidence that connection benefits both sides. The person being supported feels less isolated, and the volunteer often reports feeling happier and more grounded too.
Taking the first step
If any of this resonates, look for a buddy or volunteer organisation in your area through the Volunteer The Hague online volunteer vacancy bank or at one of our in-person events. Many run a short intake conversation and offer training and support, so you're never on your own. You'll be matched thoughtfully, with someone whose needs fit what you can offer.
You don't have to change the whole world. You just have to show up for one person. Often, that's more than enough.
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Sharing Food, Building Connections: How Internationals Can Help Prepare Community Meals
A simple meal can make a big difference. Across many neighbourhoods in The Hague, community centres organise convivial dinners and lunches where people can enjoy comforting food, friendly conversation, and a sense of belonging. These meals are especially important for senior citizens and other vulnerable residents who may be feeling lonely or isolated.
International residents can play a valuable role in making these gatherings a success. One way to get involved is by volunteering as a kitchen assistant. Helping to prepare food, serve meals, set up tables, or tidy up afterwards are all practical ways to support community centres and meet new people at the same time.
Another wonderful contribution is sharing food from your own culture. Internationals can help create menus inspired by the cuisines they know and love, while adapting recipes to suit a diverse audience. Lowering spice levels and including halal, vegan, and vegetarian options ensures that everyone feels welcome at the table. Food is a great way to discover different cultures and start conversations between neighbours who might otherwise never meet.
Community lunches offer much more than a warm bowl of soup, bread, tea, and coffee. They provide a reason to leave the house, a regular activity to look forward to, and an opportunity to connect with others in the neighbourhood. Friendships are formed, stories are shared, and people feel part of a community.
By sharing their time, skills, and culinary traditions, internationals can help create welcoming spaces where everyone feels included. One meal at a time, together, we can build stronger, more connected neighbourhoods, where you, as an active resident, also feel at home.
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Volunteer Interview: Kristin Peters
Kristin Peters is an American in her 50s, who over the course of her life and career has had the privilege of living in 14 countries across the world. Her partner and her relocated to The Hague about five months ago after the global development and humanitarian organization he worked for was abruptly shut down. Alongside her professional life, volunteering has consistently been how she finds her footing in a new place. Wherever she's lived, getting involved in the local community has given her a sense of purpose, connection, and belonging that I think is hard to find any other way. When she arrived in The Hague, she started actively looking for meaningful opportunities, and when she came across the Volunteer The Hague event, it felt like exactly the right first step. It was a chance to meet people, discover what her new city has to offer, and find ways to contribute that feel genuinely worthwhile. She is looking for employment as a social worker in The Hague region.
Which organisation did you volunteer for? What is their mission?
I volunteered for Volunter The Hague itself. They help organizations in The Hague recruit international volunteers who live locally and want to make a difference.
What volunteer role did you have and what tasks did you perform?
A couple of weeks ago my first volunteer role in the Netherlands was an event greeter at PEP Den Haag's Volunteer Job Fair & Music Festival at Amare. . It was a large event that hosted many local organizations and offered diverse options for volunteering I appreciated the inclusivity, with organizations geared not only towards Dutch speakers, but many opportunities for non-Dutch-speaking volunteers as well.
Greeting visitors at the Volunteer The Hague stand was a wonderful experienceI helped with the practical side of things, including setting up and taking down the stands, getting materials out, and answering questions from visitors, all while working alongside two other fun and interesting volunteers.
The highlight for me was the time I spent with people who were interested in volunteering but weren't sure where to start. I guided them through an online skills questionnaire that helped match them to organizations that aligned with their passions and skill sets, after which they had the opportunity to visit the tables where organizations had set up more in-depth information about their work and volunteer needs. I genuinely enjoyed those conversations and seeing people get excited when they identified an organization that felt like the right fit.
What is typical of your own culture (values, mindset) that you bring to your volunteer role?
I grew up in Minnesota, in a family where volunteering wasn't something you did occasionally, it was simply part of how you lived. From elementary school onwards, showing up for your community was as natural as showing up for school.
There's something particular to that Midwestern upbringing, a quiet, practical ethic of service, a belief that you roll up your sleeves not because someone is watching, but because it's the right thing to do. That value has traveled with me across every country I have lived in, and shaped every community I have been part of. Volunteering isn't something I came to as an adult, it's been woven into who I am for as long as I can remember.
Have you ever learnt something from volunteering that became useful for your studies or paid work?
Peace Corps Honduras taught me a great deal about community organizing. Before I had any formal training in social work, I was living in a small Honduran community, learning Spanish, earning trust slowly, and asking questions to understand what people's priorities were, what they actually needed and wanted rather than what I assumed they needed.
I learned that lasting and sustainable change only happens when it is community-led, not imported from the outside. That principle has shaped every professional role I have held since. Whether I was coordinating mobile health clinics in the West Bank, supporting disaster survivors with the Red Cross, or working with vulnerable populations across four continents, I kept coming back to that same foundation: listen first, build trust, and let the community show you where it needs you.
What piece of advice would you give to potential volunteers about how to find a suitable volunteer role?
Start with what makes you feel alive and excited, not just what looks good on paper. The roles that have meant the most to me were the ones where I felt genuinely needed, where my specific skills or experiences filled a real gap. Be honest about what you have to offer, but also about what you are looking for. Volunteering works best when it is a real exchange, you give something and you grow in return. And if a role interests you, don't talk yourself out of it just because you don't tick every box.
Some of my most rewarding experiences came from stepping well outside my comfort zone. When I began volunteering with adaptive athletes, I was honestly nervous, worried that I might not be enough, that I could let someone down. I pushed through that doubt, and what followed were some of the most meaningful experiences of my life, memories I still carry and friendships that have lasted years. So start with yourself: what excites you, what do you have to give, and where do those two things meet? That is usually where the most meaningful experiences are found, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to find them.
Kristin Peters is an American in her 50s, who over the course of her life and career has had the privilege of living in 14 countries across the world. Her partner and her relocated to The Hague about five months ago after the global development and humanitarian organization he worked for was abruptly shut down. Alongside her professional life, volunteering has consistently been how she finds her footing in a new place. Wherever she's lived, getting involved in the local community has given her a sense of purpose, connection, and belonging that I think is hard to find any other way. When she arrived in The Hague, she started actively looking for meaningful opportunities, and when she came across the Volunteer The Hague event, it felt like exactly the right first step. It was a chance to meet people, discover what her new city has to offer, and find ways to contribute that feel genuinely worthwhile. She is looking for employment as a social worker in The Hague region.
Which organisation did you volunteer for? What is their mission?
I volunteered for Volunter The Hague itself. They help organizations in The Hague recruit international volunteers who live locally and want to make a difference.
What volunteer role did you have and what tasks did you perform?
A couple of weeks ago my first volunteer role in the Netherlands was an event greeter at PEP Den Haag's Volunteer Job Fair & Music Festival at Amare. . It was a large event that hosted many local organizations and offered diverse options for volunteering I appreciated the inclusivity, with organizations geared not only towards Dutch speakers, but many opportunities for non-Dutch-speaking volunteers as well.
Greeting visitors at the Volunteer The Hague stand was a wonderful experienceI helped with the practical side of things, including setting up and taking down the stands, getting materials out, and answering questions from visitors, all while working alongside two other fun and interesting volunteers.
The highlight for me was the time I spent with people who were interested in volunteering but weren't sure where to start. I guided them through an online skills questionnaire that helped match them to organizations that aligned with their passions and skill sets, after which they had the opportunity to visit the tables where organizations had set up more in-depth information about their work and volunteer needs. I genuinely enjoyed those conversations and seeing people get excited when they identified an organization that felt like the right fit.
What is typical of your own culture (values, mindset) that you bring to your volunteer role?
I grew up in Minnesota, in a family where volunteering wasn't something you did occasionally, it was simply part of how you lived. From elementary school onwards, showing up for your community was as natural as showing up for school.
There's something particular to that Midwestern upbringing, a quiet, practical ethic of service, a belief that you roll up your sleeves not because someone is watching, but because it's the right thing to do. That value has traveled with me across every country I have lived in, and shaped every community I have been part of. Volunteering isn't something I came to as an adult, it's been woven into who I am for as long as I can remember.
Have you ever learnt something from volunteering that became useful for your studies or paid work?
Peace Corps Honduras taught me a great deal about community organizing. Before I had any formal training in social work, I was living in a small Honduran community, learning Spanish, earning trust slowly, and asking questions to understand what people's priorities were, what they actually needed and wanted rather than what I assumed they needed.
I learned that lasting and sustainable change only happens when it is community-led, not imported from the outside. That principle has shaped every professional role I have held since. Whether I was coordinating mobile health clinics in the West Bank, supporting disaster survivors with the Red Cross, or working with vulnerable populations across four continents, I kept coming back to that same foundation: listen first, build trust, and let the community show you where it needs you.
What piece of advice would you give to potential volunteers about how to find a suitable volunteer role?
Start with what makes you feel alive and excited, not just what looks good on paper. The roles that have meant the most to me were the ones where I felt genuinely needed, where my specific skills or experiences filled a real gap. Be honest about what you have to offer, but also about what you are looking for. Volunteering works best when it is a real exchange, you give something and you grow in return. And if a role interests you, don't talk yourself out of it just because you don't tick every box.
Some of my most rewarding experiences came from stepping well outside my comfort zone. When I began volunteering with adaptive athletes, I was honestly nervous, worried that I might not be enough, that I could let someone down. I pushed through that doubt, and what followed were some of the most meaningful experiences of my life, memories I still carry and friendships that have lasted years. So start with yourself: what excites you, what do you have to give, and where do those two things meet? That is usually where the most meaningful experiences are found, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to find them.
Kristin Peters is an American in her 50s, who over the course of her life and career has had the privilege of living in 14 countries across the world. Her partner and her relocated to The Hague about five months ago after the global development and humanitarian organization he worked for was abruptly shut down. Alongside her professional life, volunteering has consistently been how she finds her footing in a new place. Wherever she's lived, getting involved in the local community has given her a sense of purpose, connection, and belonging that I think is hard to find any other way. When she arrived in The Hague, she started actively looking for meaningful opportunities, and when she came across the Volunteer The Hague event, it felt like exactly the right first step. It was a chance to meet people, discover what her new city has to offer, and find ways to contribute that feel genuinely worthwhile. She is looking for employment as a social worker in The Hague region.
Which organisation did you volunteer for? What is their mission?
I volunteered for Volunter The Hague itself. They help organizations in The Hague recruit international volunteers who live locally and want to make a difference.
What volunteer role did you have and what tasks did you perform?
A couple of weeks ago my first volunteer role in the Netherlands was an event greeter at PEP Den Haag's Volunteer Job Fair & Music Festival at Amare. . It was a large event that hosted many local organizations and offered diverse options for volunteering I appreciated the inclusivity, with organizations geared not only towards Dutch speakers, but many opportunities for non-Dutch-speaking volunteers as well.
Greeting visitors at the Volunteer The Hague stand was a wonderful experienceI helped with the practical side of things, including setting up and taking down the stands, getting materials out, and answering questions from visitors, all while working alongside two other fun and interesting volunteers.
The highlight for me was the time I spent with people who were interested in volunteering but weren't sure where to start. I guided them through an online skills questionnaire that helped match them to organizations that aligned with their passions and skill sets, after which they had the opportunity to visit the tables where organizations had set up more in-depth information about their work and volunteer needs. I genuinely enjoyed those conversations and seeing people get excited when they identified an organization that felt like the right fit.
What is typical of your own culture (values, mindset) that you bring to your volunteer role?
I grew up in Minnesota, in a family where volunteering wasn't something you did occasionally, it was simply part of how you lived. From elementary school onwards, showing up for your community was as natural as showing up for school.
There's something particular to that Midwestern upbringing, a quiet, practical ethic of service, a belief that you roll up your sleeves not because someone is watching, but because it's the right thing to do. That value has traveled with me across every country I have lived in, and shaped every community I have been part of. Volunteering isn't something I came to as an adult, it's been woven into who I am for as long as I can remember.
Have you ever learnt something from volunteering that became useful for your studies or paid work?
Peace Corps Honduras taught me a great deal about community organizing. Before I had any formal training in social work, I was living in a small Honduran community, learning Spanish, earning trust slowly, and asking questions to understand what people's priorities were, what they actually needed and wanted rather than what I assumed they needed.
I learned that lasting and sustainable change only happens when it is community-led, not imported from the outside. That principle has shaped every professional role I have held since. Whether I was coordinating mobile health clinics in the West Bank, supporting disaster survivors with the Red Cross, or working with vulnerable populations across four continents, I kept coming back to that same foundation: listen first, build trust, and let the community show you where it needs you.
What piece of advice would you give to potential volunteers about how to find a suitable volunteer role?
Start with what makes you feel alive and excited, not just what looks good on paper. The roles that have meant the most to me were the ones where I felt genuinely needed, where my specific skills or experiences filled a real gap. Be honest about what you have to offer, but also about what you are looking for. Volunteering works best when it is a real exchange, you give something and you grow in return. And if a role interests you, don't talk yourself out of it just because you don't tick every box.
Some of my most rewarding experiences came from stepping well outside my comfort zone. When I began volunteering with adaptive athletes, I was honestly nervous, worried that I might not be enough, that I could let someone down. I pushed through that doubt, and what followed were some of the most meaningful experiences of my life, memories I still carry and friendships that have lasted years. So start with yourself: what excites you, what do you have to give, and where do those two things meet? That is usually where the most meaningful experiences are found, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to find them.
Kristin Peters is an American in her 50s, who over the course of her life and career has had the privilege of living in 14 countries across the world. Her partner and her relocated to The Hague about five months ago after the global development and humanitarian organization he worked for was abruptly shut down. Alongside her professional life, volunteering has consistently been how she finds her footing in a new place. Wherever she's lived, getting involved in the local community has given her a sense of purpose, connection, and belonging that I think is hard to find any other way. When she arrived in The Hague, she started actively looking for meaningful opportunities, and when she came across the Volunteer The Hague event, it felt like exactly the right first step. It was a chance to meet people, discover what her new city has to offer, and find ways to contribute that feel genuinely worthwhile. She is looking for employment as a social worker in The Hague region.
Which organisation did you volunteer for? What is their mission?
I volunteered for Volunter The Hague itself. They help organizations in The Hague recruit international volunteers who live locally and want to make a difference.
What volunteer role did you have and what tasks did you perform?
A couple of weeks ago my first volunteer role in the Netherlands was an event greeter at PEP Den Haag's Volunteer Job Fair & Music Festival at Amare. . It was a large event that hosted many local organizations and offered diverse options for volunteering I appreciated the inclusivity, with organizations geared not only towards Dutch speakers, but many opportunities for non-Dutch-speaking volunteers as well.
Greeting visitors at the Volunteer The Hague stand was a wonderful experienceI helped with the practical side of things, including setting up and taking down the stands, getting materials out, and answering questions from visitors, all while working alongside two other fun and interesting volunteers.
The highlight for me was the time I spent with people who were interested in volunteering but weren't sure where to start. I guided them through an online skills questionnaire that helped match them to organizations that aligned with their passions and skill sets, after which they had the opportunity to visit the tables where organizations had set up more in-depth information about their work and volunteer needs. I genuinely enjoyed those conversations and seeing people get excited when they identified an organization that felt like the right fit. What is typical of your own culture (values, mindset) that you bring to your volunteer role?
I grew up in Minnesota, in a family where volunteering wasn't something you did occasionally, it was simply part of how you lived. From elementary school onwards, showing up for your community was as natural as showing up for school.
There's something particular to that Midwestern upbringing, a quiet, practical ethic of service, a belief that you roll up your sleeves not because someone is watching, but because it's the right thing to do. That value has traveled with me across every country I have lived in, and shaped every community I have been part of. Volunteering isn't something I came to as an adult, it's been woven into who I am for as long as I can remember.
Have you ever learnt something from volunteering that became useful for your studies or paid work?
Peace Corps Honduras taught me a great deal about community organizing. Before I had any formal training in social work, I was living in a small Honduran community, learning Spanish, earning trust slowly, and asking questions to understand what people's priorities were, what they actually needed and wanted rather than what I assumed they needed.
I learned that lasting and sustainable change only happens when it is community-led, not imported from the outside. That principle has shaped every professional role I have held since. Whether I was coordinating mobile health clinics in the West Bank, supporting disaster survivors with the Red Cross, or working with vulnerable populations across four continents, I kept coming back to that same foundation: listen first, build trust, and let the community show you where it needs you.
What piece of advice would you give to potential volunteers about how to find a suitable volunteer role?
Start with what makes you feel alive and excited, not just what looks good on paper. The roles that have meant the most to me were the ones where I felt genuinely needed, where my specific skills or experiences filled a real gap. Be honest about what you have to offer, but also about what you are looking for. Volunteering works best when it is a real exchange, you give something and you grow in return. And if a role interests you, don't talk yourself out of it just because you don't tick every box.
Some of my most rewarding experiences came from stepping well outside my comfort zone. When I began volunteering with adaptive athletes, I was honestly nervous, worried that I might not be enough, that I could let someone down. I pushed through that doubt, and what followed were some of the most meaningful experiences of my life, memories I still carry and friendships that have lasted years. So start with yourself: what excites you, what do you have to give, and where do those two things meet? That is usually where the most meaningful experiences are found, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to find them.
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Volunteer Interview: Renata Castello Branco
Renata Castello Branco is originally from Brazil. She recently moved to The Hague to experience living in Europe and immersing herself in a new culture. She joined Volunteer The Hague online to meet people from different backgrounds and explore new places. Volunteering has always been something she has enjoyed doing. Joining the VTH team felt like the perfect opportunity to becoming part of the local community.
Which organisation do you volunteer for? What is their mission?
I volunteer for PEP Den Haag as a Social Media Manager for their Volunteer The Hague programme.
Volunteer The Hague's mission is to connect volunteers with non-profit organizations, to help create a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive community in the city. The platform supports hundreds of organizations working in areas such as social inclusion, education, elderly care, sustainability, culture, and community development.
What volunteer role did you have and what tasks did you perform?
I manage Volunteer The Hague's Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook accounts.
My responsibilities include creating content, planning social media campaigns, promoting volunteer opportunities, and helping tell the stories of volunteers and organizations across the city. It takes about 4 hours a week of my time.
What were your goals when you first decided to volunteer?
My goals were to connect with new people, better understand the Dutch working environment, and contribute through a role related to my professional background in marketing and communications. More than anything, I wanted to feel like I belonged here. Volunteering seemed like the best way to become part of the local community rather than simply living in the city.
What have you been enjoying in your current volunteer role?
Volunteering has exceeded my expectations. I love knowing that my work helps connect people with meaningful opportunities to make a difference in someone else's life. It's rewarding to use my professional skills for a social purpose while also learning from people with different backgrounds. I've also met wonderful people, learned more about Dutch culture, and genuinely feel much more connected to The Hague. It has made the city feel like home much faster than I expected.
What kind of volunteering did you do in your home country?
I previously volunteered in Jardim Gramacho, a very underprivileged community in Rio de Janeiro. During an Easter event, we organized activities for the children and distributed chocolate Easter eggs.
Jardim Gramacho was once home to the largest open-air landfill in Latin America, and many families still face significant social and economic challenges. Because of this, initiatives that provide activities for children, as well as access to food and clean drinking water, can make a meaningful difference in the community. I regularly helped with distributing food and raising donations for homeless people.
Photo credit: Renata Castello Branco
What is typical of your own culture (values, mindset) that you bring to your volunteer role?
I believe I bring the warmth and openness that are characteristic of Brazilian culture.
Empathy, building meaningful relationships, making people feel welcome, and helping others without expecting anything in return are values that are very important to me. I enjoy connecting with people and creating a positive environment wherever I volunteer.
Have you ever learnt something from volunteering that became useful for your studies or paid work?
Absolutely. Volunteering has strengthened both my professional and personal skills. I've learned to adapt my communication to a different culture, become more resilient, and better understand diverse audiences.
It has also reinforced an important lesson: you never know what someone else is going through, so kindness, empathy, and avoiding judgment should always come first. These lessons are valuable in both my professional career and my personal life.
What have you found challenging?
One of the biggest challenges has been understanding how Dutch audiences engage with online content.
Social media habits and communication styles are quite different from those in Brazil. At first, it took time to understand what resonates with local audiences and how to create content that feels authentic and relevant. However, this challenge has also been a valuable learning experience and has helped me grow professionally. Volunteering has exceeded my expectations.
What piece of advice would you give to potential volunteers about how to find a suitable volunteer role?
My advice is to go to VTH's volunteer vacancy platform, do the talent scan and choose a role that genuinely interests you and matches your skills or passions. There are so many opportunities available that everyone can find a way to contribute.
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