conversation buddy

Job description

The work of the volunteers of Zin in Utrecht consists of having conversations or sometimes undertaking activities with Utrecht residents who, due to circumstances, need some extra attention from a buddy. In the contacts, the life story and questions of the people who are visited are central.

Examples of topics that can be covered:

• Precious and special experiences and memories

• The relationship with loved ones/(grand)children

• Deteriorating health

• Uncertain future

• Processing loss experiences

• Wanting to take stock of life

• The place of faith or lack thereof in this phase of life

• The weight of carrying painful and disappointing life experiences.

As a volunteer of Zin in Utrecht, you visit someone at home regularly – once a week or fortnight. You work independently and are supportive of others. You will be trained and during your deployment you will receive guidance from the spiritual counselors of Zin in Utrecht.

An intake interview takes place with all new volunteers in advance. At the start, you will also receive training in existential interviewing, which examines meaning, life questions and conversation skills based on the presentation method.

You are part of a team of committed people with a heart for vulnerable Utrecht residents and a preference for depth in conversations. In the monthly intervision meetings, relevant themes are discussed and experiences are exchanged.

Are you a volunteer who…

• Is interested in people, especially when their lives have changed drastically.

• Can listen without prejudice and be flexible in contact with others.

• Has the inner space to be able to hear the other person's story.

• Trouw is in agreements and in principle willing to make you available for a year.

• Feels like taking part in an intervision meeting once every eight weeks.

• Lives in the Utrecht region.

We offer…

• Meaningful person-to-person contact.

• An exciting training.

• Inclusion in a nice team of volunteers.

• Guidance and support by a spiritual counselor.

Particularities…

• We request a VOG (Statement of Good Conduct) which is reimbursed by us.

All volunteers are automatically covered by the Domstadpolis, a collective secondary insurance policy of the Municipality of Utrecht.