The companionship between young and old

Stories and updates

Connecting different generations creates the most beautiful stories. Here you'll get a glimpse into the lives of young and old.

Young people and a senior hugging by the bus on a Careibu city trip

Update

How to make an impact in the Netherlands if you don't live in the Randstad

Our buddy programmes run in the Randstad. Live further away? Join a city trip or the Bingo Boat, or look at NLvoor Elkaar.

A young person and a senior on the Careibu city trip to Paris

Story

How the city trip brings people back together

Robbin joined the first city trip to Paris. His blog shows how young and old can find each other — even when that first seemed impossible.

Mattia and his buddy Hans during the Careibu buddy programme

Story

A year with my buddy Hans: how volunteering turned into friendship

Almost a year ago, Mattia joined Careibu. What started as volunteer work grew into a close friendship with his buddy Hans.

Charelle van der Hoek, regional coordinator for Utrecht at Careibu

Story

Charelle van der Hoek: everyone here has their heart in the right place

Charelle van der Hoek (29) is regional coordinator for Utrecht at Careibu. In this interview, she talks about matching, heartwarming stories and working in a team full of do-gooders.

Video · Instagram

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Saar Jaspers walking together with her 93-year-old buddy Petja

Story

Saar (18): I simply enjoy helping someone else

Saar Jaspers (18) takes her 93-year-old buddy Petja out for a walk once or twice a week. A refreshing friendship between two generations.

Participants of the Careibu city trip to Paris

Story

Memories of Paris

After the city trip to Paris, Annick wrote a blog full of memories — from the Louvre to Montmartre. During this trip, young and old didn't feel so different after all.

Isabelle and her buddy Hans during an outing

Story

Isabelle (23): our favourite thing is exploring the Jordaan

Isabelle (23) and Hans (71) have been buddies for over two years now. Theatre, dining out, photography — but their favourite is walking through the Jordaan.

Video · Instagram

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Finn and Elles on an outing through Careibu

Story

Finn and Elles tick the Concertgebouw off their list

"I honestly don't notice our age difference at all," says Finn about his buddy Elles. Together they shop at HEMA, cook, and go on outings.

Christine helps her buddy Corrie with groceries

Story

Christine (22) & Corrie (85): I'm grateful I can do this for Corrie

Corrie (85) is visually impaired and no longer dared to go out on her own. Every week, Christine (22) goes for walks and does groceries with her.

Ans (89) and Isa (22), buddies through Careibu

Story

When we walk down the street together, everyone wants to chat

Ans (89) and Isa (22) have been buddies for over a year now. Even after their official programme ended, they keep meeting up — and everyone on the street greets them.

Video · Instagram

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Story

Metro went out on the town with Cees (80) and Ruud (22)

"Staring into space all alone — I find that awful." Cees (80) and Ruud (22) are buddies through the senior-student foundation — a match that took Metro along for the ride.

Lena and Mariana, buddies through Careibu

Story

Mariana (87) on Lena (24): she simply belongs

For a year and a half now, Mariana and Lena have enjoyed walking, shopping and coffee together. "She simply belongs," says Mariana.

Story

An outing to see Herman van Veen at Carré

Ten students and seniors together admired Herman van Veen's show at Carré — on invitation from the cultural fund.

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Story

Experiences: Mette (22) at Jong+Oud=Goud

"With just a few hours a week, you can truly change someone's life." Mette (22) took part in the Jong+Oud=Goud programme through the civic service (MDT).