Ellen thanks her volunteer colleague Isabelle: “Without her, my experience in the nursing home would never have been the same” – Radar
The boy next door who runs errands, the quarantine Tinder crush, the family doctor, the tram driver or the cat who gives cups: in this section, readers thank someone who plays an important role in this Corona crisis. Today Ellen Van Cauwelaert thanks her friend Isabelle, with whom she volunteered for the Red Cross in a nursing home.
“I work in the cultural sector and, like many others, was technically unemployed for two months. From a full-time job at the Royal Flemish Theatre, an extra weekend job at Bozar and volunteering for various projects, I suddenly had nothing to do with it and sat at home indefinitely. I felt panic and immediately volunteered through various platforms, such as Brussels and the Red Cross. I enjoyed the first weeks of the lockdown to rest, read or train.
Nevertheless, I was happy when I was able to work as a volunteer at the beginning of April. Through the Red Cross, I found a nursing home nearby where they could get help. There I met the volunteer Isabelle. Although she continued to work full-time from home, she also volunteered. She was very motivated and it clicked right between us.
This experience would never have been the same without Isabelle
Isabelle was always friendly and her enthusiasm was contagious. It made both the staff and the residents laugh. If I had a hard time, I could always go to her. Especially at the beginning, when he was still used to the work rhythm in the nursing home, he wore a mouth mask and sick or deceased. It was often patted on the back from a distance, but I felt very supportive of her. Although the staff was incredibly grateful and had welcomed us into the group, it was Isabelle who understood how I felt.
On Facebook we shared the latest news as we worked another shift: who was hard to keep in his room, what was the menu of the day, the latest new gossip or the good results of the Corona test. Despite social renunciation, I found a new friend during the Corona crisis and hope that we will stay in touch after this crazy time. She lives near me: we agreed to go for a walk. As soon as the visitors are allowed back, we also visit the residential care center in our neighborhood together to say hello to the staff and the residents.
I’ve been working at the Royal Flemish Theatre since this week. Normal life is gradually getting back on track. It was a very nice and interesting experience to work with Isabelle and it would never have been like this without her. She’s one of the first people I want to give a warm hug as soon as I can. I admire her immensely for what she did during the Corona crisis and who she is for as a person. Let’s all become a bit more like Isabelle.”
“I work in the cultural sector and, like many others, was technically unemployed for two months. From a full-time job at the Royal Flemish Theatre, an extra weekend job at Bozar and volunteering for various projects, I suddenly had nothing to do with it and sat at home indefinitely. I felt panic and immediately volunteered through various platforms, such as Brussels and the Red Cross. I enjoyed the first weeks of the lockdown to rest, read or train. Nevertheless, I was happy when I was able to work as a volunteer at the beginning of April. Through the Red Cross, I found a nursing home nearby where they could get help. There I met the volunteer Isabelle. Although she continued to work full-time from home, she also volunteered. She was very motivated and it clicked right between us. Isabelle was always friendly and her enthusiasm was contagious. It made both the staff and the residents laugh. If I had a hard time, I could always go to her. Especially at the beginning, when he was still used to the work rhythm in the nursing home, he wore a mouth mask and sick or deceased. It was often patted on the back from a distance, but I felt very supportive of her. Although the staff was incredibly grateful and had welcomed us into the group, it was Isabelle who understood how I felt. On Facebook we shared the latest news as we worked another shift: who was hard to keep in his room, what was the menu of the day, the latest new gossip or the good results of the Corona test. Despite social renunciation, I found a new friend during the Corona crisis and hope that we will stay in touch after this crazy time. She lives near me: we agreed to go for a walk. As soon as the visitors are allowed back, we also visit the residential care center in our neighborhood together to say hello to the staff and the residents. I’ve been working at the Royal Flemish Theatre since this week. Normal life is gradually getting back on track. It was a very nice and interesting experience to work with Isabelle and it would never have been like this without her. She’s one of the first people I want to give a warm hug as soon as I can. I admire her immensely for what she did during the Corona crisis and who she is for as a person. Let’s all become a bit more like Isabelle.”
