It's a cozy little place, with tables, chairs, things to drink, snack and share… And people to prepare them for you. An (almost) ordinary cafeteria, established for almost twenty years within the Studio de Tours cinema.
Charles Diez created the Air association (for Aid to integration through catering) in 2005. “At the time, it was a first in France,” remembers Christine Gailliard, its current president. Doctor Diez, who had just retired from the Tours University Hospital, had chosen to devote his time to the integration of people suffering from mental disorders into ordinary environments. A good dose of elbow grease, a lot of volunteers and goodwill and a collaboration with the Studio later, the project took shape. “It was very artisanal at first, then, little by little, we became more professional. » With continued support from the State and the departmental council.
Integration as an objective
Air now has seven permanent employees and eleven in integration, to which are added a few service providers (including a professional integration advisor) and around forty volunteers. “It’s a real small business”, summarizes Ms. Gailliard.
Who never loses sight of their integration objective. “It’s about helping people re-appropriate work codes”, explains Luce Boutault, vice-president: “Arrive on time, follow instructions…” Then it’s about supporting them in building a longer-term professional project.
Positive outings
Some only stay for a while, because they struggle to find the way, because they are not ready… For the majority, however, the working time at Air ranges from twelve to eighteen months, with a maximum of two years. “And until Covid, we had a very good rate of positive exits (Editor’s note, that is to say towards a job or training). Around 75%, better than many other work integration structures,” figures director Caroline Larpent. With employees who were then able to continue in catering, but not only: “There is one who became a librarian; a young girl does after-school activities; another is an ambulance assistant… », illustre Christine Gailliard.
A coffee and a slice of cake
Covid, as elsewhere, however, put a brake on this great momentum. With the closure, a timid reopening, fewer applications, more vulnerable people… “We’re just starting to get our heads above water. »
Slowly, the warm little music of an effective movement has re-established itself and is reestablishing itself in the Studio cafeteria. “You should know that everyone here works together, the employees, the volunteers… in the kitchen, to serve, to do the cash register or the dishes…” SO ? A good film, the end credits and the desire to discuss it? Would you like a coffee and a slice of cake?
The Studio cafeteria is open every day (except the 1stis May, one week at Christmas and three in summer), from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at 2, rue des Ursulines in Tours.
