Why and how to volunteer in the North?
Volunteering can be a valuable opportunity for you as an international job seeker to immerse yourself into the local community and gain new skills.
Did you know that the volunteering culture in the North is very strong? Within the Groningen municipality, one-third of its population actively participates in volunteering. Furthermore, nearly half of these volunteers engage in their activities on a weekly basis.
Volunteering is a fun way of meeting new people with similar interests and goals and creating meaningful connections with them.
Sara Lasso Volunteer at the Groningen Walking Club at International Welcome Center North
Why to volunteer in the North?
Generally speaking, benefits of volunteering are truly multifaceted for everyone involved. It may not be obvious, but there are multiple reasons why you may want to consider volunteering as an international job seeker in particular.
- Volunteering can serve as a platform for learning Dutch language and getting to know local culture.
- It can help you meet new people, whether it is locals or fellow expats.
- Contributing to the community and making a positive impact will give you sense of purpose and fulfillment. This can be an invaluable feeling, especially during the process of looking for a job in a new country, which can be daunting and frustrating at times.
- Through volunteer work, you will inevitably extend your skill set. Depending on the volunteering activity you choose, this can be a completely new skill or something you want to gain more experience in.
All of these points can help you indirectly with your job search too.
Volunteering will showcase your dedication to contributing time and effort to a cause or organization without monetary gain on your resume.
You can also use volunteering experience as an example of your transferable skills and willingness to adapt to new situations in an interview.
Lastly, volunteering is a networking experience through which you will meet new companies and organizations, too. You can read about why creating your local network is often crucial step to finding a job in the North in this article.
In my experience from working in HR, I can say that having volunteer experience on your CV is a definite advantage. It speaks to your character and shows the hiring manager what kind of colleague you will be.
Bruno Cantu Volunteer at Make It in the North
Volunteer opportunities around Groningen
Textile sorter
Cycling lesson volunteer
Creative for Atelier
Courses facilitator
Activity leader Ceramics
Supervisor Paper & Textiles
Co-driver
Shoe sorter
Cleaner (with possibility of paid work)
Cook
Employee support living room Kornoeljehof
Dishwasher
How to get involved?
If you're considering volunteering, here are a few key points to keep in mind:
- Check if you require a work permit (TWV) to volunteer, which can be indicated on your residence permit card.
- Note that international students no longer need a TWV to volunteer, thanks to a recent exception.
- Individuals with refugee or asylum-seeker backgrounds are encouraged to consult with their COA case officer for guidance.
For more requirement details, visit the International Welcome Center North's website.
Just like labor shortage, there is also volunteering shortage. That is why organizations are looking for international volunteers.
Hedwig Hettinga Project Manager at Link050 (biggest volunteering organisation in Groningen)
Where to find volunteer opportunities?
- A complete list of international-friendly volunteer work in Groningen can be found here.
- For Dutch volunteer work:
- www.nlvoorelkaar.nl (National Job Board)
- www.vrijwilligersgroningen.nl (Province of Groningen)
- every municipality has its own volunteer center with a volunteer job board
