Helping out through Zoetermeer

There are 2 types of volunteering you can help with:

• Weekly/monthly
  Usually, help is needed with computer and language classes and leisure activities. These are often ongoing activities (multiple and at set times). Volunteers who come to help regularly receive a volunteer contract from COA. They then become "COA volunteers. This means that you receive a reimbursement of travel expenses, must present a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) and must abide by COA's code of conduct.
• Once or a few times
  There is also often room for support for activities that take place once or a few times, such as an activity for children, a field day or a social gathering for all residents. This does not require becoming an official "COA volunteer.

Some of the residents of the reception location in Zoetermeer already have a residence permit (status holders) and/or have been living in the Netherlands for some time. They already have their own clothes, toiletries, telephones, computers and other items to support themselves. The residents receive living and pocket money from COA to enable them to buy groceries. They cook their own food.

In addition, there is not much space in the rooms and at the location to store many things. Too many items can create unsafe situations, because they get in the way during emergencies, for example.

In general, the following items are not necessary:

1. Food and drink
   Residents buy this themselves
2. Household goods and toys
   COA furnishes the location with everything needed to live there comfortably; many residents already have their own household goods and toys.
3. Clothing
   Residents generally have adequate clothing

Finally, COA indicates that it considers it important that all residents be treated equally. This means that COA only accepts items for all residents and not just for a few residents or only residents of a certain origin. For example, consider a ping pong table for the recreation room that everyone can use. But one winter coat or one children's bicycle would not be of much use to COA; they would then have to choose which of the 630 people would get them and they cannot make that choice.

If you do want to donate food/clothing/items; please do so at the local food bank, clothing bank or thrift store. If COA does need any of these items, they will knock there.

For more information, see also www.coa.nl | Volunteering and donations.