Anne and Lieneke are buddies

Anne (87) often felt alone and found it difficult to go out on her own. Through her GP, she came into contact with Welzijn Lelystads buddy project. There, she was matched with Lieneke and it clicked immediately. Together, they drink coffee, visit the community room or do creative things like quilting. Thanks to the buddy project, Anne feels less alone and dares to go out on her own again. 'It's really valuable for me,' she says. Lieneke adds: 'Even with something small, you can mean a lot to someone else.'

At the kitchen table, Anne pours a cup of tea for Lieneke. It is clear that they get along well. 'I noticed it immediately by how we talked to each other. And I wasn't allowed to call her "madam",' Anne laughs. 'Just say Anne,' she said. And that's how it has remained.

How it began

In summer 2025, Anne and Lieneke were paired up through Welzijn Lelystad's buddy project. 'I told my GP that I wanted some more contact,' Anne explains. 'I wanted someone to do something with. Going somewhere alone is difficult for me.'

On the road together

'Alone is also just alone,' says Anne. 'If I go somewhere alone, I often stay a bit in the background. In a group, I don't say much then.' Lieneke adds: 'At the Dukdalf, you were immediately given a very friendly welcome.'
Anne nods: 'Yes, that really felt like a warm bath. I sometimes go there on my own now. And once a month I go to Resto van Harte. As a result, I see Lieneke a little less often, but I still look forward to her visit. It's really valuable for me.'

Getting to know more people

Lieneke: 'What I like about the buddy project is that it looks at whether people are a good match. This makes it more likely to click. But we also look at what someone would like to achieve. Anne wanted to get to know more people. That's why we went to Hanzeborg together and to the community room in community centre the Dukdalf.'

Same interests

'Many people sometimes feel alone, even if it doesn't seem that way,' says Lieneke. 'Then it's nice to do something together, such as having a cup of coffee, going for a walk or playing a game. In the buddy project, we also look at what people like. That helps to get a good click.'
Anne and Lieneke are both creative. Anne shows a quilt blanket she made for her grandchild. 'I also teach Lieneke how to do that. Soon we will make a bag together.'

Meaning something to someone else

Lieneke: 'I find it special that I can do something for someone else in this way. Even just having a coffee together can make someone's day better. You can decide how often you meet up. It's very flexible.'

Everyone can help

'Yes, everyone can volunteer,' says Anne. 'I have always done it myself: at the Sunflower, at the hospital and at Hanzeborg. There I gave hand massages. 'Then I'd say, "I'm going to visit the old people", even though I was already in my 70s myself,' she laughs. 'And now someone is there for me. I really love what we do together.'

Many people sometimes feel alone, even if it doesn't seem that way.

- Lieneke, volunteer