- Here's my former boss, says Hege Bye, patting Ragnhild Fagerås on the shoulder. She was the nursing home manager here before. Now she's a cycling host and is responsible for the volunteers here.
For the past two years, the volunteers in green shirts have become a common sight at Marker Housing and Service Center, several times a week. When they arrive, cycling is on the agenda.
Volunteers on a rota
At its peak, 19 volunteers have been involved in the project. Now, 13 volunteers are on a rotating schedule.
- When we started the cycling activity two years ago, we needed volunteers. I spoke to my immediate manager to see if she could help. She reached out to former colleagues who had retired, and word spread, explains Hege Bye, who initiated the cycling host project in her role as project manager at the Development Center for Nursing Homes and Home Care in Østfold, Norway.
Today, the core group of volunteers includes former employees and several from the Women's Sanitary Association. Additionally, there are constant inquiries from retirees wanting to contribute.
What made you want to volunteer here?
- I like to stay active, and thought it would be fun to contribute here. I know the building and the patients well, says Ragnhild Fagerås, former operations manager at the facility.
- I feel like I get a lot in return. The patients appreciate having a little chat and getting a short break from the ward, either on the bike or just out here for a conversation.
One of the eager cyclists who joins every time is Kjell Anders.
- It’s good to stay in shape. The legs are important, you know, says the 95-year-old, who adds that he cycles 8 km a week.
- And it's fun to meet here on the bikes and chat. The social aspect is very important, Kjell Anders believes.