Leadership became the springboard for Jasmin's volunteer work
It doesn't take experience to become a leader at the Capital Red Cross. That's what drew 30-year-old Jasmin to become a team leader for Bevegelsesvenner.
It doesn't take leadership experience to become a volunteer leader at the Danish Red Cross. That's what drew 30-year-old Jasmin to become a team leader for Bevegelsesvenner.
– Normally you need a lot of experience to become a manager, but that's not a requirement here. I really wanted to have some management experience, so it was an obvious opportunity for me. From there, I started reading the job posting.
When Jasmin continued her studies, it was more than just management experience that caught her interest. The psychological field was also a huge plus, which came very naturally to her, as she grew up with her mother, who is a trained psychologist. The content is definitely the most exciting, she says, after which she elaborates on what the project is about:
– Bevejgelsesvenner is a great project that takes the focus away from the diagnosis. It is not the diagnosis that is in focus at all. Two people meet for a physical activity across cultures, diagnoses and interests. Physical activity connects us as people.
As a volunteer team leader, you meet many different people who need to be matched. It's interesting which people want to be volunteer movement friends. Jasmin didn't know any volunteers in her own network, so she has gained a whole new perspective on volunteer work.
It's not a job, but a hobby.
– It is exclusively my freedom and free time that I spend on my volunteer work – because I feel like it.
It doesn't feel like work, but like a hobby. Jasmin compares her volunteer work to a trip to the gym or a coffee with her friends. The reason she continues to have the desire to spend her time, which is otherwise precious with a full-time study and work, is that it gives her a lot of energy. It makes sense. Not only for her, but also for the volunteers and participants.
– It doesn't require much from me, but it gives so much. It sounds so cliché, but it just makes sense to help others.
A good match improves quality of life
The youngest participant, who had just turned 18, really made an impression on Jasmin. He could no longer go out the door and thus did not get any exercise when he lost his supervisor from the Municipality in connection with coming of age. He was completely devastated by it. He had never heard of Exercise Friends, so when he was introduced to the concept, he was really happy.
– The young participant was completely moved when we sat together at the meeting, and I told him that I could find someone who would like to be active with him.
He was matched with a young, fit girl with similar interests, who is also a personal trainer. The two meet once a week and go for runs.
It's stories like these that keep Jasmin spending her free time volunteering and helping others. She thinks the best thing is undoubtedly when a match occurs.
– It gives me the spirit to continue, knowing that the participants have something to look forward to every week, which is based on what I have put in place. It makes me happy to make others happy.