Saturday September 9 was a joyful, gourmet and musical day which brought together more than 90 people around the tables of the Novotel de Bron.
“The opportunity to meet outside the local context, to get news, to share memories, to fertilize our lives like living soil,” indicates Marine Beaumont-Brelet, coordinator of the association, responsible for social development.
Around a hundred active volunteers
Restoring and maintaining social bonds, providing well-being, reducing loneliness, is the painstaking work, on a daily basis, of around a hundred volunteers active in the area of Vénissieux, Saint-Fons, Feyzin, Saint-Priest and Lyon 8th, with around 100 people isolated by age and insecurity.
Thanks to the association of “Little Brothers of the Poor”, today Gérard, Clémentine, Elvire, Dominique, Benoît or Colette, celebrate what brings them together, in an almost family atmosphere: “It is an important moment which strengthens us and is close to our hearts,” say the volunteers and those supported.
Usually, they meet by sector, in pairs, at home or in small groups for meals, weekly activities or vacation stays. So many events promoting social life, a source of shared experiences.
➤ Supported people are contacted following personal suggestions or reports from neighbors, parents, or medical-social partners. They can live at home, in a nursing home or in a social residence.
➤ Volunteers commit to occasional or ongoing presence to build a social bond with a fragile person (visits, telephone calls, presence during group activities, etc.).
Such. : 04.72.78.52.52. Website: ww.petitsfreresdespauvres.fr
Bron – Joanna
At 22, Joanna, a master’s student in psychology, has been volunteering for two years with the Little Brothers of the Poor.
“I wanted to get involved in an association linked to people. I live very close to the premises, I passed by it every day, so I entered. I don’t regret anything, it’s rare to be able to spend time with elderly people in their daily lives. » And added: “We form a community where everyone supports each other, volunteers and people supported. It’s gratifying to feel useful, even for an hour a week, because loneliness, aggravated by precariousness, becomes a social handicap. »
Bron – Marie-France and Martine
Marie-France, 79 years old, went to Burgundy this summer for a stay with the Little Brothers of the Poor, accompanied by Martine, 53 years old, a volunteer for 13 years. Marie-France has not seen her family for 20 years: “Sometimes I break down. » Martine has been with him for several years, she is concerned about his well-being: “When you start, you can’t stop, there are so many wonderful encounters.” Marie-France confides: “In the past, I was a painter and I exhibited my paintings. The images accumulate, the stone walls, the roses. It made me want to do it again. My first painting will be for Martine! »
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