Great news: our Chemins d'Enfances program, which provides play-based support for children in emergency shelters, is moving to Lyon. Emma, our edutainment project manager, moved there at the end of January to open a new branch. She is teaming up for this adventure with Camille, a former school teacher, who now wants to get involved in a children's support project with a strong social dimension. It's a great way of complementing each other, so that our actions can be felt throughout the region.
After a few weeks on site, Emma shares her first impressions with us.
Why open a new Chemins d'Enfances branch in Lyon?
“In Lyon, there's no association offering playtime and a bit of freedom to these children, who often live in a single room with their whole family. These are fairly isolated families living in very precarious conditions, who are very happy to welcome us. We feel that the children are missing out on this kind of time, especially the older ones who, according to the educational teams on site, have been left a bit on the sidelines in recent years.»
In the Île-de-France region, the emergency services are saturated, and the 115 is no longer able to respond to all requests. As a result, many families are referred to other regions, notably Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Prior to setting up the project, we carried out a territorial analysis to identify priority needs, existing resources and potential areas for action. This work led to discussions with the regional Fédération des Acteurs de la Solidarité and its Enfance & Famille group, followed by meetings with several major players in the sector (Adoma, Salvation Army, Alynea, Notre-Dame des Sans-Abri, Habitat Humanis). All agreed on one thing: while the supply of accommodation is increasing, overall support, particularly for children, remains inadequate.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is currently strengthening its reception capacities, as part of the «Lyon Ville hospitalière» plan, which affirms the ambition of a more "hospitable" city. inclusive and supportive. As a member of the Anvita and ICORN networks, Lyon is developing concrete initiatives to help vulnerable people and defend human rights.
But these structures are still primarily mobilized to deal with social emergencies and administrative formalities. Children still have too few spaces dedicated to their development, well-being and socialization. Local partners are clearly expressing the need to reinforce specific actions aimed at them. This is precisely the challenge that the Chemins d'Enfances program addresses.
How did the installation go?
“The installation went very well. Our little space is in a third location, surrounded by artists and other associations. We often come across them and hope to be able to set up actions together. But we spend almost all our time directly in the field, where we go with our van and our trunks of games, to go directly to where families live.”
How did the first workshops go?
“We quickly found our feet. We started with two parent-child workshops and one workshop for older children. We were even lucky enough to take advantage of the beautiful sunshine to set up outside.”
In concrete terms, the workshops are currently being deployed in four residential facilities. Two of them are aimed specifically at young children from 0 to 3 years and their parents. Every Wednesday and Thursday, until the end of the school year, we take part in events in Lyon and Villeurbanne respectively. parent-child time. Regular sessions are essential to establish a stable framework and gradually build a relationship of trust with families. Our workshops have a dual objective: supporting the development of young children through the installation of adapted play areas, and supporting parents in their role by offering them quality time with their child, concrete tools and reference points to reinforce their confidence and parenting skills. These workshops are designed to provide a real exchange, sharing and discovery.
Any particular projects in the coming weeks?
“In Bron and Saint-Priest, we're going to launch vegetable garden projects! The associations are located on former military bases with large green spaces. We won't be able to grow directly in the ground because of soil pollution, but above-ground tubs have already been purchased. The children and mothers are delighted with the idea of creating these little vegetable gardens. Children and mothers are delighted at the idea of creating these little vegetable gardens. For parents, it's an opportunity to harvest food, take ownership of their living space and share a concrete project with their children. The project goes beyond the workshop: it continues throughout the week, giving children and parents the responsibility and pride of caring for the garden. These vegetable gardens thus become real tools for learning, cooperation and transmission between parents and children, while strengthening the link with their daily environment”.”
None of this would have been possible without the support of the bioMérieux endowment fund, which is backing this deployment for 3 years. The Lyon adventure is just beginning!
