Days at the Dignity Centre Nicosia are often full of activity. And behind that bustle is Paula, our Cyprus Coordinator and field director, quietly holding it all together. Here, after a busy week at the Centre, she speaks with dedicated volunteer and podcast producer, Jessica, about emotional resilience and what it means to create a space where people feel seen, supported and part of a community.
On Fridays, many people arrive to do their shopping in the Dignity Market or to visit the barber, especially in the lead-up to celebrations like Eid. But as Paula explains, the Centre offers much more than just food or haircuts. For people who’ve recently arrived in Cyprus, it’s a place to get practical help with essential admin—whether that’s translating forms, getting a photocopy, or opening a bank account. For those who’ve been here longer, it’s a familiar community space to return to when they need a helping hand.
The Dignity Centre runs on volunteer power: teams of people coming from abroad for a few weeks at a time. That can be both invigorating and challenging. “You meet people with different backgrounds and different ways of working,” Paula says. “That is good for ‘the Dignity,’ but also for us.” The constantly changing teams can be hard for members, who hope for consistency, and for Coordinators who have to adapt on the fly. But the spirit of mutual contribution carries the team through.
For Paula, setting boundaries is essential. With hundreds of people passing through the Centre each month, she’s learned to protect her own mental space. “Most of the time, I need the weekend not because I am tired physically,” she says, “but because you need to deal with everything.”
What keeps her going is the small signs of trust and progress: the members who come back just to share good news, the ones who feel like family and the moments of light that emerge from even the darkest situations.
Looking ahead, Paula wishes for every person to be able to live the life they choose. Closer to home, she hopes the Centre can keep growing stronger, with more long-term volunteers who understand the context and can offer consistent, meaningful support. “Many times, people are really lost,” she says. “You need a team that can help them find their way.”
Find out more about the Cyprus Dignity Centre and apply to volunteer.
