A musette ball at the Brunel nursing home is good for the morale of seniors

Un joyeux moment de partage en musique pour rompre la solitude. J.SV

Parmi les actions réalisées par Les Petits Frères des Pauvres auprès des aînés isolés, les après-midi musicales sont très appréciées.

Isolated people, accompanied by Les Petits Frères de Pauvres, were able to celebrate thanks to Papy Musette, two musician friends who recently came to voluntarily host an afternoon at the Brunel nursing home. To the sound of Pierrot's accordion and Jean-François' keyboard, some did a few dance steps to tunes reminding them of good times, before sharing the daily snack. "They like music a lot, notes Catherine, a volunteer. We regularly organize events and that's not all, we bring them to restaurants and even on vacation for a few days." The audience included around thirty people, residents of the Brunel nursing home, others from La Roselière de Marsillargues, but also isolated people from outside, like Sylvette: "I live at home, I no longer have a family and my health does not allow me to do what I would like, she admits. Every week, I have a visit from a volunteer, I have a phone call… It’s a plus in my life. I am very satisfied. Afternoons like this are very good for morale!"

No to the isolation of seniors

On their t-shirts, the volunteers display a formula, or rather a demand: " No to the isolation of seniors. " The primary objective of this association which works all year round free of charge with people lacking connections. "When you accompany someone who is not from your family, it is lighter, declares Brigitte, active in this movement for several years. We visit one person every fortnight and we have to attend one meeting per month, on Monday. It's not very restrictive. Despite everything, we are unable to retain volunteers,” she adds with regret. As a reminder, the national association Les Petits Frères des Pauvres was created in 1946 to help all isolated elderly people, without distinction. National and secular, it has no political or denominational affiliation.

To become a volunteer, ask for a support person or find out more, call Magali Corniglion on 06 48 75 61 83.