{"id":265168,"date":"2025-07-01T11:07:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T09:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/degroenelinde.nl\/?p=265168"},"modified":"2026-02-25T15:03:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:03:39","slug":"a-heart-to-heart-with-esther-langelaan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/degroenelinde.nl\/en\/een-warm-gesprek-met-esther-langelaan","title":{"rendered":"A heart-to-heart chat with Esther Langelaan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Volunteer at Hospice Zorg aan Zee, Den Helder<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

A lovely chat with Esther Langelaan. She has now been volunteering at Hospice Care by the Sea<\/a> in Den Helder. She works two mornings a week as a complementary care volunteer and does one further shift during which she takes full responsibility for the guests\u2019 care. On the mornings she is on duty, she gives massages to the guests (as she calls the clients), ensures the complementary care cupboard is in order and places orders where necessary. When speaking with her, it quickly becomes clear just how much love and attention she puts into her work.<\/p><\/div>\n\n

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\u201cI just wanted to be there for people\u201d<\/em><\/h3>

How did you end up at the hospice?<\/em>
\u201cI used to run my own practice as an energy therapist,\u201d says Esther. \u201cBefore that, I was a primary school teacher and provided child therapy. When I became a mother, I decided to stop practising regression and reincarnation therapy. I no longer wanted to do just one-to-one sessions, but to share my skills more widely with people. I also worked with horses for many years. My horse was stabled at my own natural stables alongside other horses. But after my horse passed away, I decided to close that chapter. It took a lot out of me, physically as well.\u201d<\/p>

What replaced it?<\/em>
\u201cI found myself wondering: what next? Where can I simply be myself and put my talents to good use? A good friend recommended the hospice to me. She said, \u2018That\u2019s really right up your street.\u2019 And that\u2019s how I ended up at Hospice Zorg aan Zee.\u201d<\/p>

Complementary care: bringing peace and gentleness<\/em><\/h3>
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What exactly do you do as a complementary volunteer?<\/em><\/p>\n\n


<\/em>\u201cIn the mornings, I give the guests massages, keep the complementary care cupboard tidy and order new products when necessary. I also look after the diffusers in the rooms. I add essential oils to them, depending on what\u2019s needed at the time. Complementary care has become an integral part of the hospice. We\u2019ve been using De Groene Linde products for many years now, and I\u2019m the one who\u2019s taken on the coordination, training the volunteers and working alongside the nurse. I also blend my own massage oil. Everything is carefully documented in a folder, and the cupboard contains precise instructions on how to use the products. This is how we ensure safety and continuity.\u201d<\/p><\/div><\/div>

What are your favourite products?<\/em><\/p>