"Joy."

The answer comes immediately when 56-year-old Rikke Kleberg is asked what she gets out of volunteering. She can't help but point out that it's a bit of a cliché – the joy – but there's no way around it. She simply gets so happy doing something for other people.

And she has been doing that for well over 20 years. The last five years for the Red Cross at Omsorgscenter Eirsgaard and before that for the association Bisserne, which at one time offered dental care to the vulnerable on the streets. Here she used her professionalism as a dental hygienist, until dental care for the socially vulnerable was passed by law in 2020, and the volunteer work disappeared.

 

Dental care with the heart first

Rikke has worked as a dental hygienist for most of her career, and that's actually where it all began – with a patient in the dental chair. The patient, who was a volunteer street nurse for the 'Nursing on Wheels' project, quickly piqued Rikke's curiosity, and before long it became clear that there was a huge demand for dental care among the vulnerable on the streets – and Rikke hasn't looked back since.

The first many years of volunteering were spent with the association Bisserne, which, in collaboration with the Red Cross, opened premises for dental care on Falkevej in the Northwest. This was flooded with needy citizens, “some of them with a beer in their hand.” It was important that the citizens felt that there was room for them.

After a few years under the auspices of the Red Cross, the Men's Home offered more suitable premises, and the Bissers moved to Vesterbro. The area around Halmtorvet and Istedgade was clearly marked by the rough and challenging life that many of the patients struggled with – and this made a big impression on Rikke.

“Many of the patients were so unwell that they could not sit in a dental chair for more than ten minutes at a time.”

Even though Rikke has had to deal with some "unfortunate elements" from time to time, it has not changed the fact that citizens and volunteering bring her great joy.

“I usually say: If you see me driving across Langebro with a smile like that on my face, I'm coming from the Men's Home.” – and now Omsorgscenter Eirsgaard, emphasizes Rikke.

"At first I was actually very embarrassed about it, because I thought that it's someone else who should be happy. It's not me."

At some point, however, she realized that nothing happens if both citizens and volunteers benefit from the work. "So that's why I let myself be happy."

 

A new chapter at Eirsgaard

When the law on social dental care came into effect, Rikke was suddenly left without volunteer work – for the first time in many years. Fortunately, another dental care patient was on hand to help her.

“I’m sitting at my job one day and talking to a patient who I don’t really know very well, so I must have been very frustrated. I’m blabbering about my volunteer work – oh, now it’s gone and everything.”

The patient told us about Omsorgscenter Eirsgaard, where she herself was a volunteer, and shortly after Rikke went on a shift – and she was sold. One call later, she was accepted as a volunteer. She could hardly believe that it was so easy, and asked if the people in charge would meet her first. But the answer was clear: “'Listen, with your experience from Bisserne, you know our target group, so I'm not worried at all about whether you can get involved'.”

And so began a new chapter in Rikke's volunteer life – this time with a focus on food, coziness and presence on Amager. It was a new framework, but the same starting point: To be where the need is greatest.

At Omsorgscenter Eirsgaard it is possible for homeless people to stay for 14 days after hospitalization.

“If you are discharged to the street, Eirsgaard offers the opportunity for a quiet place to recover.”

Here you get your own room with a lock and the day's meal - and when hunger strikes, you can help yourself in the kitchen. In addition, there is nursing wound care on weekdays - and at least as important: peace to recover and time for board games and a nice chat with the volunteers or other users.

“What you get at Eirsgaard is food, care and security.”

 

The desire drives the work

Rikke has no doubt about what is important to remember when it comes to volunteering.

“You should do what you can handle. What you want to do. What you are passionate about. It should not be an obligation.”

If you don't know what you're passionate about, it doesn't matter. Rikke highlights the Red Cross' many different volunteer opportunities - there's a good chance you'll find the right fit. And it's important not to be discouraged if you don't find the right thing at first. The most important thing is to try your hand - and give it a chance.

“It suits me very well that I just come when it suits me – I don't have to commit to helping with homework or anything like that.”

 

Ultimately, Rikke's advice is simple: Find something you're passionate about – and let joy lead the way.