Week van de Vrijwilliger / Week of the Volunteer

Because Het Bos would not be Het Bos without them, the week of the volunteer might be a good time to put some our volunteers in the spotlight.

Who are you and why did you start volunteering at Het Bos? Stefan: I’m Stefan, I’m 38 years old skater from Antwerp and I started volunteering here because I felt a bit lonely and wanted to get to know more people. I knew Het Bos because I already came here to party. Het Bos is not your typical club, it’s more of an alternative space where you can get to know other artists, musicians and all kinds of people. I mainly volunteer at the entrance, but I also have helped build exhibitions, cook during a benefit and other random tasks.

Amin: My name is Amin. In 2015 I came from Afghanistan and am in Belgium for 10 years now. I live alone and spend a lot of time by myself, so I wanted to be around other people more. Here I work at the entrance during events. I’ve only worked here for two months, but it makes me so happy to come here every time. It gives me energy.

Myrthe: I’m 26 years old, currently looking for a job and I also started volunteering here two months ago because I wanted to come more in contact with other people but also artists. I also felt a bit lonely and through my work here at Bosbarbeid (co-working) that feeling disappeared because now I don’t have to go to work or school to see other people.

Simon: My name is Simon, I’m 21 and currently studying physics. I started as a volunteer three years ago with event photography because I like the challenges that come with the different events that happen here. The program is so diverse, so it makes for good subjects. After a while I also started working for Bosbarbeid and behind the bar.

Megan: I’m Meg and I moved to Belgium in 2023 to be a teaching assistant at the University of Antwerp. Het Bos is one of the first places I discovered when I was walking around the city. I too felt a bit lonely being new in the city and when I saw the call for volunteers I instantly decided to apply. That was a little over a year ago, now I mostly run Bosbarbeid, the co-working space in Het Bos

What do you enjoy the most about being a volunteer at Het Bos?
Stefan: The welcoming feeling I get every time I come here. It really makes you feel appreciated. I also really like the diversity in the program because one night you can attend a metal concert and the next time you visit an exhibit by a local artist.

Simon: I like that you get the chance to try new tasks. You can work behind the bar, work the entrance, do photography, … days never feel dull here.

Amin: My colleagues quickly became my friends, and they help me to learn Dutch.

What’s your favorite memory of volunteering?
Meg: For met it was undoubtedly ‘Picnic in Het Bos’, a community event created by the Volunteer team. For moths we worked together on a patch-work Picnic blanket that on the day of the picnic we saw it finalized. Together with had a potluck dinner on this blanket that we made together and ate. I also loved the impromptu talent show open mic and was amazed about some of the beautiful poems that were shared by the others.

Stefan: It’s difficult to pick one. I also liked the day we went to Ostend. We spend the day on the beach, laughing and enjoying ourselves. The days that everyone is together are the days that make the best memories.

Meg: Also, the New Year’s party! It was the funniest thing singing karaoke together. It was fun to relax and have fun with the people I’ve been working alongside with. It was also special to me because the year prior I didn’t have anyone to spend NYE with. I also met my best friend through Het Bos. One year ago, we didn’t know each other and now we even went on a vacation to Morocco together.

Can you give me a word to describe working at Het Bos?
Simon: Spontaneous.

Myrthe: Interactive.

Amin: Interesting.

Stefan: Wanting it to be never-ending.

Meg: Community.

What have you learned from being a volunteer?
Stefan: Volunteering here is more about experiencing moments. But through working here I did learn more about the safer space policy and how important that is. You learn more to account for other people’s feelings and to try to put yourself in their shoes.

What would you say to someone considering volunteering at Het Bos?
Myrthe: Three words: do it now!

Is there something you would like other people to know about volunteering?
Amin: It’s also a good place for newcomers in Belgium. It’s a nice way to practice learning Dutch. When I came here, I almost exclusively moved in the local Afghan community: I went to Afghan shops, had Afghan friends … Now I have made other friends through working here.

Myrthe: That volunteering can be all kinds of jobs. I used to think that volunteering is always with children or elders, but it can also be in a place like Het Bos. This place can exist also through the work we do.

Simon: How much fulfilment it gives you.

Megan: Volunteering is truly rewarding, you get back more than you give.

Want to join te team?Tell it to vrijwilligers@hetbos.be

_{Tekst door Eveline Slavov Slavov}