Volunteer from Project VIDA collaborates with "Pedalar Sem Idade"
Joana Marques Gomes, student of Social and Cultural Communication student at Universidade Católica, is part of the Project VIDA - Volunteering at Católica and is collaborating with the Pedalar Sem Idade since January 2023.
When asked about the importance of volunteering in her life, Joana has no doubts: "Volunteering is an essential instrument in our lives, it helps us grow, find our place in society and develop a feeling that I consider essential, empathy with others".
The Projeto VIDA "plays a very important role in this path since it helps us to discover our objective as students, but above all as citizens of the world. It asks us indirectly, 'Who do you want to help?'".
After a first conversation with the Social Responsibility Office team and according to her profile, availability, and personal interests, Joana chose Pedalar Sem Idade, "an institution that with little achieves a lot. We are given the privilege of socialise with older people, doing for them what they did for us in another phase of our lives. It is extremely gratifying the joy with which this activity is carried out, realizing that an hour of our time can make someone's day or even week".
For Margarida Quinhones, Executive Director of Pedalar Sem Idade, there is no doubt about the importance of volunteering in the organization: "Volunteering in Pedalar Sem Idade has an immediate return. As soon as the trishaw starts moving, we immediately notice from the passengers' reaction that the experience is positive! Giving the right to the wind in the hair to people whose days are very similar or who are alone in their homes has the extraordinary power of doing good not only to those who enjoy the proposal but also to those who give their time so that these rides happen. We effectively make a difference in people's lives".
The Projeto VIDA – Voluntariado na Católica has open registrations throughout the year and has around 50 partner institutions from various areas of intervention. If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer, get in touch with the Social Responsibility Office team through the following contacts: voluntariado.sede@ucp.pt or 21 721 40 00.