Amelie is
Dave's buddy
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This year, UM is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking 50 years of engagement with society through our education, research and wider initiatives. We’re proud of the many great initiatives UM is involved in, and of the active role our students play in society. During this anniversary year, we’re shining a spotlight on a selection of initiatives that have emerged over the past half-century.
“Volunteering helps me step outside my bubble”
Many students spend their time with peers who are much like themselves. Psychology student Amelie Rust (22) wanted to do things differently. Alongside her studies, she was keen to contribute to society and step outside her student bubble. She has more than succeeded. Through the care organisation LEVANTOgroep, she became a buddy to 55-year-old Dave. “He doesn’t just learn from me – I learn from him too. Dave broadens my view of the world.”
Amelie Rust
Amelie Rust, from Germany, is a third-year Psychology student at Maastricht University’s Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. In January 2024, she started volunteering with LEVANTOgroep, a care organisation that supports people with psychological issues. After completing her bachelor’s, she hopes to carry these experiences with her into the next stage of her career. She received an Edubadge from UM in recognition of her commitment to LEVANTOgroep.
Immediate click
When Amelie moved to Maastricht for her studies, it was the first time she had ever been here. “I wanted to get to know the city and make myself useful alongside my studies,” she says. She attended the ‘Get Involved’ information day, where she got talking to Marco Piëtte, coordinator of Informal Care at LEVANTOgroep. This organisation helps people with psychiatric disorders reconnect with society. Amelie was immediately enthusiastic. “I’m good at one-to-one contact, so being someone’s buddy really appealed to me. I also like that it helps me feel more connected to the city.”
Before she started as a volunteer, Amelie had an in-depth discussion with Piëtte to find a match they both felt positive about. Ultimately, she was paired with Dave for their shared interest in art. “We both enjoy going to museums,” she says. “We hit it off immediately.”
Weapon against loneliness
Amelie describes Dave as open and creative. “He looks at the world with an open mind. Like me, he’s curious. That’s what makes it so enjoyable: we talk a lot about things like politics, literature and art.” Dave initially worried about the 33-year age gap, but that concern quickly faded. “I was afraid she would judge me because of my mental illness,” he says. “The first phase is the hardest, because you have to get a sense of someone, but now I know who she is. She gives me a weapon against loneliness.”
Amelie is equally enthusiastic that she has now been Dave’s buddy for two years. “We learn a lot from each other. He learns from me about psychology, and I learn from him about art and other topics.”
Bonnefanten Museum
The pair always try to do more than simply meet for coffee. “We walk around Maastricht together, visit museums or go out to eat.” Her favourite outing was a visit to the Bonnefanten Museum, where they made a collage together. “We’d only just met, so it was really special to get to know one another through being creative. Hanging out with Dave doesn’t even feel like ‘volunteer work’ anymore – it just feels like getting together with a friend.”
Volunteering has given Amelie more than she expected. “Dave has a completely different perspective on the world. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don’t, but it’s always interesting. He makes me feel more open-minded, and also more connected to Maastricht.”
“Just do it”
What advice would Amelie give other students who are thinking about volunteering? “Don’t overthink it. If you have the time and you’re curious, just do it. It’s something really valuable to do alongside your studies.” The time commitment, she says, is not too demanding. She and Dave meet every fortnight for a walk, a coffee or a museum visit. “It’s very flexible. If I’ve got a busy exam week, we just reschedule.”
Text: Romy Veul
Photography: LEVANTOgroep
Become a
buddy
Does volunteering as a buddy appeal to you? Marco Piëtte, coordinator of Informal Care at LEVANTOgroep, would be happy to tell you more. He can be reached via marco.piette@levantogroep.nl or 06 1521 6431.
You can also find more information about volunteering with LEVANTOgroep through UM’s Personal & Professional Development Portal.
