Who doesn't know him?
Joost Roovers, who doesn't know him?
Joost Roovers is deeply involved in Oosterhout, his hometown. Wherever you go, you run into him, with or without his phone at the ready to film what he sees and does, because he is a fanatic vlogger.
He is devoted to Oosterhout and it hurt him that Oosterhout was portrayed negatively a number of times. That made him decide to bring out the positive side more often, but the question was how. His friends gave him the idea to start a vlog. Joost wondered who was waiting for that. They persuaded him to start it anyway. "In the beginning I thought it was very unnatural to walk around filming. But I got used to it quickly". Joost mainly filmed the things that receive less attention from the regular media, such as the volunteers who pick up the dirt once a month in Oosterheide. He filmed the mermaid swimming in the Warande and he was there in 2018 when the Zak in As Kruis was awarded. "I really go to a lot of places where I wouldn't have been otherwise and my network has expanded enormously. But I also notice that I make contact easily during vlogging. People sometimes shrink from an official interview, but vlogging is very accessible ".
The most important thing about Joost's activities is his social involvement. For that reason, he was named "Oosterhouter of the Year" in 2018. He was nominated together with 4 others, all people with a large following in Oosterhout, but Joost won the election. "It is not only that my network has become much larger, but my involvement with Oosterhout and the Oosterhouters also gives meaning to my life".
Oosterhoutvoorelkaar also tries to promote volunteering among young people. Joost can heartily recommend it. "You are easily among people, a lot of doors open for you and it gives a good feeling to contribute in any way to make your own city better". Oosterhoutvoorelkaar hopes that young people will be inspired by Joost's story and will ask themselves how they can increase their social involvement. The Oosterhoutvoorelkaar website offers a low-threshold opportunity for young people to find volunteer work that suits them. This is possible without the intervention of the team of Oosterhoutvoorelkaar, but of course the people of Oosterhoutvoorelkaar are always willing to advise on how to achieve a good match.
A warm bath
A warm bath Volunteer at the Pannehoef a warm bath It was quiet for a while, because there would be renovation. But the Pannehoef is fully operational again. We work hard, where necessary adjustments are made and the volunteers go for it again with heart and soul. Upon entering the colorful hall, we meet Henri and Caroline, two volunteers who are devoted to the Pannehoef. There is coffee and soon an animated conversation ensues. Both of them are passionate about it. Henri lost his job 3 years ago due to bankruptcy. That was a bad period and loneliness was lurking. "I couldn't imagine it at the time, but in retrospect that period enriched my life," he opens the conversation. "From the moment I arrived here, I have met so many lovely nice people, that I realize that I should have done it years ago. What I have found here is worth so much more than a big salary. gives as a volunteer, gives you so much! A real friendship has developed with Caroline and her husband, but I also receive a lot of care and warmth from my other colleagues. Nobody forgot me when I was less mobile due to an injury". Because Caroline also has a job, she works fewer hours than Henri in the Pannehoef, but both are now "part of the furniture" and they talk passionately. "Together with the other volunteers, we form a warm team, are interested in each other and help each other where necessary. In that atmosphere it is not a task at all to be a volunteer," says Caroline. Production House De Pannehoef, commonly referred to as De Pannehoef for short, offers Oosterhouters the opportunity to develop their creative talents in the broadest sense of the word and to bring them to great heights together with others. The emphasis is mainly on the performing arts, but more is possible. Henri immediately thinks of the children's carnival, which is organized every year. Henri: "The children's carnival is really enjoyable. Then you see how important this facility is for the people in the neighbourhood. The happy faces of the children make the work we do very light and the solidarity is great". Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward
Read the story