Just like with our pancake activity the collaboration for our circus activity came from a night we hosted with representatives from our target audience.
Through this target audience event we came in touch with Aniela Govaarts from residential care facility “het Laar”. Aniela was busy organizing an meeting circus for elderly living in Tilburg, where they would be able to strengthen their social network. This to prevent loneliness among this audience.
Because we found this such an interesting concept we decided to help out during the circus with a total of 18 volunteers. Together with Asset Econometrics, Aiesec & Complex we grabbed our bikes and set out to the circus location.
But before we tell you everything about what happened, we would first like to thank all the present volunteers for their help.
Without you guys the whole thing wouldn’t have been possible!
From Aiesec:
– Bram Roelofs
– Melanie Molenaar
– Kevin de Louw
– Matthijs de Boer
– Mike van Aalst
From Complex:
– Aniek Westerdijk
– Lisa van Ool
– Robbin Vinck
– Deborah Okondia
From Asset Econometrics:
– Tamara Dert
– Miaozhuo Cui
– Pim Benen
– Bastiaan Schutte
From Serve the City:
– Ashley van den Donk
– Melissa Weij
– Benthe Frie
– Lennart Sinjorgo
– Despina de Werd
Moving on, what did we actually do?
At 12.15 pm we were expected at the circus, here we discussed some last bits and pieces. From 13.00 pm onwards the guests could enter the circus.
We welcomed the guests, helped them to their seats and not unimportant we labeled all the wheelchairs. At first a circus where you have to start meeting new people can be a bit awkward, so our volunteers were there to have a little chat and break the ice.
An hour later the first part of the program started, in which Christel de Laat gave a show. However, not just any show. Christel covered some so called “meeting cards”.
Because, when we welcomed our guests they were given a program booklet with in it a meeting card. On this card guests could write down an activity for which they are searching for a buddy, Christel took some of these cards and tried to form couples of elderly guests that would like to do this together.
A simple but effective way to prevent loneliness before it can take its toll.
After the first part of the program it was time for a half an hour brake. While being able to enjoy a nice cup of coffee there was the opportunity to dance to music played by a band. If your interested to see the dance skills of our treasurer check out the video on our insta. (“you got to start somewhere”).
But a show from Christel de Laat is nice and all but not exactly a circus. Well after the brake we were ready to start, after everybody found their place again of course. A show from an actual circus, in which dogs showed their little tricks, an illusionist showed some impossible acts and shows were performed at great heights. Here are some pictures to give you an impression.
And with the circus a successful afternoon came to an end. We helped guests find their wheelchair and brought them home.
To all volunteers, thanks again for making this afternoon possible. We had a lot of fun and judging from all the compliments, the elderly did too.
If, after reading this, you’re enthusiastic about volunteering to help elderly in Tilburg.
Subscribe! We are filled with activities for which we are still looking for volunteers.
We have weekly walks on Thursdays and with the remaining meeting cards we are planning to set up a platform on which we will post activities for students to subscribe to.
So keep an eye out for more info on this platform by checking our Instagram account or subscribe for walks using the link in our description.
