“I especially enjoyed the conversations; making real contact and listening to their stories. Some of the stories were impressive.”

An afternoon filled with sweet and savory treats, warm tea, and, above all, wonderful conversations. Philips corporate volunteers left their familiar workplace for a few hours to serve high tea to the residents at Peppelrode.

During high tea, there was laughter, listening, and sharing of memories. “I especially enjoyed the conversations; really connecting with people and listening to their stories. Some of the stories were impressive,“ said Monique. ”What made this afternoon extra special was how happy the residents were with something that might seem small,“ added Patricia. ”Even though the snacks were fairly simple, people also enjoyed eating together.“ Erika remembers the stories in particular: ”Older people have been through so much. It’s nice to hear more about that.”

For the team, this afternoon was more than just volunteer work. “For me, it’s important to have a good relationship with my immediate colleagues. To get to know each other better and have a good relationship. It strengthens the connection between us, which also helps with our work,” says Patricia. “It’s good to work together as a team in a completely different environment,” shares Monique. Erika adds: “It’s nice that Philips gives us the opportunity to do something meaningful for others during working hours. It’s a nice change from the daily routine at the office and, at the same time, a form of team building.”