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Buddy at the Mesdag clinic

Humanitas • job opening nr. 14466

Interesting about this job

By going out with someone once a week or every other week, you help them reconnect with the world outside the institution. You're one of the few people around them who's simply there, without judgment or a treatment plan. Something as small as simple contact can make a huge difference.

Job tasks and duties

Forensic psychiatric patients can request a buddy from Humanitas who can visit or accompany them on unsupervised leave. Patients at the Van Mesdag Clinic often have long but very limited contact with the "outside world," and that step outside can be quite daunting. Therefore, contact with a buddy, the attention, and the chat are crucial.


The role:
A volunteer buddy helps ease the transition back into society. It involves engaging in hands-on activities, such as exploring the city together, walking, cycling, or enjoying a cup of coffee at a café. Some people are unfamiliar with Groningen, and in those cases, you can help them find their way around.
In an introductory meeting, we'll determine which participant best suits your interests, hobbies, and preferences. This way, we'll find the right connection, making the connection valuable for both parties.
The introductory meeting takes place at the Van Mesdag Clinic. Initial appointments are at the clinic. If things go well and both parties get along well, appointments will take place outside the clinic.
The frequency is approximately once every three weeks, and this can be extended for a period of one year. A visit usually lasts about two hours each.

An example of a request for help:
A man in his late 30s, who grew up in the south of the Netherlands, is looking for a companion. He's a very kind man, cheerful and spontaneous, with a mild intellectual disability. He has a history of addiction, but has been clean for a while now. There's hardly any contact with his family anymore, and he misses that. He'd like to chat with someone, play games, shoot pool in the cafeteria, or watch some TV together. Just some human contact, preferably with a man. Initially, appointments will be at the clinic, but eventually, leave will also be requested. He'd like to learn more about Groningen then.

Job skills and qualities

As a buddy, it's important that you have an affinity with the target group, are confident, a good listener, and are balanced and independent.
Most participants are male and 30+, and they often express a desire for a volunteer their own age (25+).
Buddy volunteers can contact the project coordinators (including volunteer coordinators) with questions about support, training, and guidance.
You can also contact a social worker at the Van Mesdag Clinic.

Extra information

For more information about this vacancy, please visit the Humanitas Groningen website.

Job information

Job type Volunteer Work
Services accident insurance, training, Certificate of Good Conduct is required
Duration indefinite
Hours per week at least 1 hour, max 3 hours
Work hours of your own choosing? Yes
Location In the clinic or outside

Organisation address and information

Humanitas
Akerkhof ZZ 22
9711 JB Groningen
Website: http://www.humanitas.nl/groningen

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