What conclusions can we draw from this first experience?

See my news
Follow Les Alpes Mancelles

Tuesday December 3, in Sougé-le-Ganelon (Sarthe), they were 4 residents of the Anais residential home from rue Castine, Dominique, Brian, Jordan and André, proud to each receive their key to the community apartment on rue de Paris, rented to the municipality.

If Dominique, Brian and Jordan appeared confident, André verbalized a little of his apprehension. The house assigned to them is only 500 meters from the home, the fact remains that, for these people with disabilities, who have lived in institutions for years, it is a symbolic breakthat of the beginnings of autonomy in everyday life.

What results for this first experience of temporary independent accommodation?

The Anais Foundation, created in 1954, manages around a hundred establishments in the North-West of France. Among them, 2 living centers, one in Beaumont, the other in Sougé, under the direction of Anne Denis.

In Sougé, the rooms of 9 to 12 m2 appeared, in view of current standards, too cramped, the first idea was to break down the partitions to make 2 bedrooms from 3. But it quickly became apparent that such a restructuring, in addition to the technical difficulties and costs it engenders, would pose problems of approval and staff management, the reduction in residents leading de facto to a reduction in staff.

The “Outside the Walls” project

This is the name given to the experiment in the end. It is part of a general philosophy of empowerment, open environment, inclusion of people with disabilities who, if they are not able to work, nevertheless have sufficient autonomy in daily life, the objective being to develop their autonomy and their integration into the heart of the city.

It should make it possible to properly accommodate some of the residents while setting up an innovative educational tool. Anne Denis recounts her approach: “I approached the town hall. The mayor Philippe Rallu was immediately interested in this project. A town house was unoccupied, that of the former doctor. He spontaneously proposed the occupation. »

15 days of autonomy

The house is therefore rented to the Anaïs foundation, on an experimental basis, for a duration of 10 monthsuntil July 31, 2025.

This is how the old waiting room became a living room, the consultation room converted into a kitchen. This work to bring it up to standard was carried out by the municipality during the summer, the interior design by AnaÏs.

The principle: occupation by successive groups of 4 volunteer residents for a period of 15 days. They have breakfast there before going to the home for the workshops, they return there in the evening, after dinner. It is up to a professional to partially assist them in the morning and evening. A duty roster for the maintenance of the premises is displayed.

A satisfactory first assessment

Two weeks have passed. The team observes: “ The 4 pioneers seem happy and proud of the experienceeven André who had expressed reluctance at the beginning. The group effect played a role in the reassurance of each person, with the boldest encouraging the others. They only called the home's educational team once, because they couldn't turn on the television. They were never late to get to the home in the morning. A next group, mixed this time, should take over at the beginning of January. »

After feedback, at the end of July, a reflection will be carried out by the municipality for a second phase of work on the houseparticularly thermal (heating method, insulation, openings).

For Philippe Rallu “this beautiful project strengthens the historical links between the home and the municipality, very attached to this establishment present in the town for 30 years. »

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.