Tag: Dex Together

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Dex Together Spotlight: Ariane

As part of the DEX Together spotlight series, DEX Guardian Ariane shares her experience of volunteering with GoodGym in London and the many benefits that volunteering has provided her.

Getting fit by doing good

GoodGym is a community of people who believe in getting fit while doing good. It was founded to address loneliness in the city and operates in over 60 areas across the UK. 

Follow GoodGym’s amazing community work on Instagram.

Learn more about GoodGym’s story here.

There's no such thing as an average GoodGym shift! In the last month, I've helped prune trees in a park, bag up soil for a horticultural charity, make clothes parcels for refugees, unpack food bank deliveries, supported my local junior ParkRun, and tidied the garden for an older gentleman in my neighbourhood."
A female volunteer for Goodgym gardening
Ariane
DEX Guardian

Q&A with Ariane

So Ariene, tell us about GoodGym?

It’s essentially a running club combined with volunteering, although running isn’t essential! Active travel is the main thing – run, walk, or cycle to do useful things in the community. We get fit by doing good!

Why did you choose this cause, and why is it important to you?

It’s super flexible, and there are so many opportunities to get involved in. Sessions don’t last longer than 90 minutes, and most are held in the evenings or on weekends, making it easy to fit them into a working schedule.

It’s also really varied – you get to try a lot of different things! You can join group runs or community missions for something social, or complete a DBS check and complete some training to assist older people with tasks (e.g., gardening, unpacking) in their homes. It’s an easy way to know you’ve made something good happen.

What are your main volunteer responsibilities, and what does a typical shift look like?

There’s no such thing as an average GoodGym shift! In the last month, I’ve helped prune trees in a park, bag up soil for a horticultural charity, make clothes parcels for refugees, unpack food bank deliveries, supported my local junior ParkRun, and tidied the garden for an older gentleman in my neighbourhood. You don’t need any particular skills, just be happy to get stuck in and move some stuff around.

What do you enjoy the most about volunteering?
The social aspect; I’m still relatively new to my part of London, and through GoodGym, I’ve met a lovely group of people. They have been a huge support over the last few months. Getting to know my neighbourhood better is an added bonus – there are lots of places I wouldn’t have known about if I hadn’t run to a mission there.


Photo shared by Ariane taken during a GoodGym session. 

"I'm still relatively new to my part of London, and through GoodGym I've met a lovely group of people."
A female volunteer for Goodgym gardening
Ariane
DEX Guardian

GET INVOLVED WITH DEX TOGETHER

At DEX, we harness our community’s collective power for positive impact through DEX Together, our volunteer initiative for guardians and our team.

We encourage our team and staff to contribute their time and skills to meaningful causes, like GoodGym, in their communities on a schedule that suits them.

LEARN MORE
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Dex Together Volunteer Spotlight: Rogier

As part of DEX Together, DEX Managing Director, Rogier, explains how he is supporting Dutch Foreign Affairs at UK prisons through volunteering.

Supporting dutch forEIgn affairs in UK Prisons

The Dutch Embassy and Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands work with vetted UK volunteers like Rogier to meet with Dutch prisoners in UK prisons. 

The purpose of these voluntary roles is to understand the prisoners’ situation now and to be able to give them information and resources on how the prisoners can adapt to life back in the Netherlands after finishing their sentence. 

We asked Rogier a few questions about his unique volunteering role and what inspired him to take part.

"I find the psychology of different individuals interesting and enjoy meeting people, listening and offering support."
Rogier
DEX Director

Q&A with Rogier

Why did you choose this cause, and why is it important to you?

As a Dutch national living in the UK, I believe it’s important to contribute to the rehabilitation of individuals involved in criminal activities and to support the Prisoner and Foreign Affairs. 

At DEX, we believe in the power of community and reducing anti-social behaviour while improving communities through our guardianship service and DEX Together programme, which is why this cause is significant to me.

 
What are your main volunteer responsibilities, and what does a typical shift look like?

I am a contact for the embassy and act as a liaison between Dutch prisoners in the UK and the Foreign Affairs department. During my conversations with the prisoners, I focus on understanding their situation. What are their detention circumstances? Are they in good health? Are they suffering from any mental health issues? And to determine if the prisoner wishes to pursue an education.

It’s also important to understand in the process the prisoner stands. Have they already been convicted? If so, when will they return to the Netherlands? How to prepare them at the point of return? 

Additionally, I find out if they have family or a support network. I explain the social systems in place at Dutch airports for their arrival. I can inform foreign affairs, who can track where the prisoner was born and arrange for social support to ensure they have housing or support upon arrival.

What do you enjoy the most about volunteering?
 I find the psychology of different individuals interesting and enjoy meeting people, listening and offering support.
 
Although my role does not directly involve rehabilitating prisoners, I feel that if I can help gather information that Foreign Affairs and the embassy can use to facilitate a smoother resettlement process for prisoners returning to Holland. I am contributing in a meaningful way.
"During my conversations with the prisoners, I focus on understanding their circumstances and informing them on resources available to them back in the Netherlands."
Rogier
DEX Director

GET INVOLVED WITH DEX TOGETHER

At DEX, we harness our community’s collective power for positive impact through DEX Together, our volunteer program for guardians and our team.

It offers the flexibility to contribute your time and skills to meaningful causes on a schedule that suits you.

LEARN MORE
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Dex Together Volunteer Spotlight: Janet

Janet, a DEX Guardian, is a DEX Together volunteer. She joined the initiative earlier this year. Discover the incredible impact she and her fellow volunteers are making at the Barking Food Forest. 

BARKING FOOD FORREST

Barking Food Forest is a vibrant community gardening project in Barking Riverside, bringing joy and connection to local children, young people, families, and residents of all ages.

Learn more about the Barking Food Forest.

Follow Barking Food Forest on Instagram. 

We asked Janet a few questions about her volunteering role. 

"As a part of DEX together I volunteer at Barking Food Forest, a charity that has transformed an unused scrap of land into a thriving space for fresh produce, and community connection."
Janet DEX Guardian

Q&A with janet

Why did you choose this charity and why is it important to you?
I chose this role because it allows me to support what I care about while engaging with my community.
 
What are your main volunteer responsibilities and what does a typical shift look like?
I love the hands-on work of gardening outdoors, My shifts are varied, with a wide variety of tasks that change with the seasons—from planting and harvesting to maintaining the garden and planning social events.
 
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering?
I particularly enjoy participating in special events such as community open days, Halloween celebrations, and Christmas gatherings.
"It’s a friendly, welcoming environment where food, ideas, and social connections are shared, and everyone is made to feel welcome and included."
Janet DEX Guardian

BECOME A DEX TOGETHER VOLUNTEER

At DEX, we harness our community’s collective power for positive impact through DEX Together, our volunteer program for guardians.

It offers the flexibility to contribute your time and skills to meaningful causes on a schedule that suits you.

LEARN MORE