In her solitary daily life in Saint-Jean-du-Gard, Josette, a dynamic octogenarian, finds valuable support from the Al Sourel association. Between solidarity meals, visits to elders and booming projects, the young Cévennes structure forges links in the Gard valleys, while instilling warmth and solidarity where isolation hurts the most.
“In my house, I do everything by myself. And I even drive!” Josette Couture-Brieu, who will celebrate her 88th birthday on April 29, displays great autonomy. But also great isolation. In his pretty home near Saint-Jean-du-Gard, “only the postman passes, explains Gisèle Geoffray, secretary of the Al Sourel association, visiting Josette that day, with treasurer Simone Blanc. But he puts the mail in the box and that's it.”
Certainly the octogenarian uses his car. But just for quick trips to the village, during the day.
The solidarity meal, among the shelves of Al Sourel
On the family side, widowed since 2022, “with two daughters, a son and two granddaughters, one a student in Paris and the other who works at the Saint-Etienne hospital”Josette only has a few visitors. “It’s no longer like the time when I accompanied my husband to dialysis three times a week, for twelve years, in Nîmes at the beginning then in Alès afterwards.”
Suffice to say that the solidarity meal organized on December 14 by Al Sourel, “In the sun” in Occitan, was a beautiful ray of light for Josette. “It was magnificent! And what's more, we found on each plate a little gift prepared by the school children.”
Because visits to isolated seniors are not the only actions of the association, in Saint-Jean-du-Gard and its valleys.
Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE
“Without encroaching on the missions of other structures, we are in addition”
On the small road back to the village, along the Gardon and its banks plowed by wild boars, Gisèle Geoffray details the making-off: “This solidarity meal brought together 90 guests. We carried out the project, mobilizing everyone: the Protestant Churches, the Catholic Church, the Salvation Army, the Restos du Cœur, the town hall with the socio-cultural center of the Oustal and the CCAS And even the children from nursery and primary schools, who made cards offered to each guest.enthuses the volunteer, one of the founders of Al Sourel.
“It was a real success,” punctuates Simone Blanc, also at the origin of the recent creation of Al Sourel, with Florence Aubaret, the president.
“We formed a good team for the Telethon, says the latter. So, without letting go of our contribution to these national causes, we told ourselves that being united as an independent association would also allow us to have financial autonomy, for broader actions.”
Thus Al Sourel was born last February, with the stated desire to actively participate in local solidarity. “But without encroaching on the missions of structures such as the CCAS, the ADMR or Présence verte, continues Florence Aubaret. We are in addition, to complement and help.”
Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE
More than 80 people visited last year
Josette, neither dependent nor in a critical situation, is an example of the work that the association carries out with older people. “We visited 81 people on Saint-Jean last year, specifies Gisèle Geoffray. And Monalisa approval will allow us to develop this form of support.” Of the 39 members of Al Sourel, 12 members have already followed this training (read below).
At the same time, the association wants to develop game afternoons for seniors or even outings in fine weather. The program should take shape during the general meeting on January 31. “We’re starting: everything is very open!”says the president.
However, the main lines emerge: the continuation of garage sales (two per year), guided tours of the village (paid, €5), lotteries, raffles, etc. “There is also the couture group which is going strong, with creations sold on the markets for the benefit of the association”specifies Florence Aubaret.
Actions which will also allow continued support for three disabled people, two children and a young adult, who benefited from attractive Al Sourel vouchers for Christmas. “And beyond that, in the event of specific needs, we have great possibilities for mobilization and action!”
Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE
The Monalisa network, an enlightened smile for 2 million seniors in France
In the heart of old Saint-Jean-du-Gard, it was at Fougassette, a café well known in the world of Saint-Jean zinc, that the strong forces of Al Sourel met that afternoon.
In a peek-a-boo manner, the group occupies a small adjoining room, the headquarters of the local Motor Sports Association. A heated and welcoming place (especially if you like the aesthetic of the plates and car racing suits!) that Al Sourel will use in particular to organize rummy afternoons.
Around the president Florence Aubaret, are gathered 8 of the 12 members of Al Sourel having obtained Monalisa approval, including the secretary Gisèle Geoffray and the treasurer Simone Blanc.
“During two days of training, explains Gisèle Geoffrey, we have been made aware of good behavior towards the elderly, according to a charter of good conduct.”
No health indications, “especially a psychological approach,” continues Simone Blanc, “to share a state of mind, know how to listen and remain discreet.”
A national network of 900 teams
Created more than ten years ago, the national associative network Monalisa (NAtional Mobilization against Isolation of the Elderly), aims to fight against the loneliness of seniors in an unprecedented partnership between civil society and public authorities. In 2024, Monalisa will reach 2 million people over 60 in France, through 900 “citizen teams” of volunteers.
The Monalisa-Gard cooperation (1), created in July 2021, brings together several local authorities, social actors and charitable associations in the department. It also constitutes a sort of call center, capable of relaying the needs by territory to its local contacts.
Instructions for use
But how can you replicate an initiative like Al Sourel close to home? “It all starts from a small group of volunteers determined to help seniors, testifies Florence Aubaret. It is important to agree on the project. The next step is to contact existing local organizations: town hall, CCAS, local and departmental associations and structures. Then, for our part, we asked an organization to create our statutes on a voluntary basis. Finally comes the Monalisa stage. All of this represents full time for three months! But it's worth it.”
(1) www.monalisagard.com. Such. 07 68 79 20 59.
