Rooted in community and care, Amis de Hama 4 is shaped by the people who give their time, care, and commitment to it. Their involvement goes beyond practical support, focusing on presence, relationships, and consistency. In this interview, Victoria, one of our project leaders and long-term volunteers at Serve the City, reflects on her journey with Amis de Hama 4, focusing on her responsibilities within the project and the moments that continue to shape her perspective at Serve the City.
Could you tell us a little about Amis de Hama 4 and how you first became involved with the project?
I first became involved with Amis de Hama 4 after chatting with Serve the City and realising there was space to bring the project back and help it grow. I never expected it to become my project, but it quickly became the highlight of my week.
The residents are so warm and positive; they really do make your day every time you visit.
Amis de Hama 4 is a Francophone and Dutch speaking project in a residential care home and even though most of us aren’t native French or Dutch speakers, we always speak French or Dutch when we visit.
A small group of us go every week on a Thursday afternoon, and we spend time with around 18 residents aged from 50 to 90, all of whom have varying degrees of intellectual disabilities.
Every visit is just really relaxed – some days we go for walks or have a chat; others we play games, dance, or listen to music. It all really depends on how everyone is feeling and, of course, the weather!
What does a typical afternoon of volunteering with Amis de Hama 4 look like for you?
A typical visit is around an hour and a half. Over time, we’ve really gotten to know the residents, and they’ve built strong relationships with the volunteers. The residents genuinely look forward to our visits – people rush to greet us as soon as we arrive. It feels very natural now, like visiting friends, rather than a formal volunteering activity.
Why do you think projects like this matter in today’s social climate?
In my opinion, there is still stigma around people with intellectual disabilities, and I believe they are among the most marginalised groups in society.
Projects like Amis de Hama 4 are so important as they help to break down those barriers.
There can often be fear or discomfort around interacting with people with intellectual disabilities, which creates and enforces this isolation. This is why projects like Amis de Hama 4 are so important as they help to break down those barriers and remind people just how important connections and companionship are to everyone.
As a project leader, what are your main responsibilities within the project?
My role is partly practical and partly relational. On a practical level, I inform and coordinate volunteers, manage the applications I receive through the ServeNow app, handle background checks (which are essential for this project) help new volunteers register, and manage our WhatsApp group. I also stay in contact with the care home manager and let them know how many volunteers will be coming each week.
Beyond that, I guide volunteers during visits, introduce them to the residents, and help create a comfortable environment so that both volunteers and residents feel at ease.
Can you share a conversation or interaction that has stayed with you from this project?
One moment that’s really stayed with me was with a resident who’s now in her 80s and has lived in a care home since her mother died. She’s such a warm, positive person.
One day, the care home manager told us that the resident had just discovered that her long-term carer had passed away and that she had not been invited to his funeral by his relatives. She was very upset and wanted to go to church to light a candle for him. Through the project, we were able to take her and spend time with her in the local church while she said her goodbye which was deeply touching for me personally.
It’s moments like this that remind you how easily older people – especially those with disabilities – can be overlooked, and how important it is to take the time to look out for them.
How has being involved with Amis de Hama 4 changed your perspective on community?
It has been incredibly educational and eye-opening, and it has made me more aware of how much we learn from people we might otherwise overlook.
Being involved has completely changed my perspective on the community.
It has deepened my understanding of inclusion, care, and what a meaningful community really looks like.
How would you like to see the project grow or evolve in the future?
The project works really well as it is, but I’d love to see more volunteers involved so we can create a larger rota. At the moment, there are 3 people who go regularly, but we’d love to have more volunteers joining us, even if it’s only once a month or so! Expanding the volunteer base would allow more flexibility and is great for the residents to see new faces!
If you had to describe Amis de Hama 4 in three words, what would they be – and why?
Happy, Friendly, and Surprising.
You learn so much when the residents start talking about their lives; they have all lived full, rich lives and hearing their stories is always unexpected and inspiring. One resident, for example, shared memories of experiencing World War II as a child – moments like this really stay with you.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about getting involved for the first time?
I would simply say: come along and give it a go. Almost everyone who comes for the first time wants to come back, but there’s no pressure! It’s a genuinely welcoming project, and the connections you form are incredibly rewarding.
If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, you can sign up through the ServeNow app and come along to give it a try. You’ll need a working knowledge of either French or Dutch, and a background check, but everything else you learn as you go!
