Two New Formats
Engaging 240 employees in 45-minute workshops centered around a meaningful action—that was the challenge we took on last June with Mutuelle Générale, in partnership with ESSCAPADE. In groups of 40, employees were able to choose their preferred workshop: creating a garland using Japanese paper folding—origami—or writing a postcard intended for an unknown recipient. The objective is simple:
- Pour les guirlandes, c’est la réalisation d’un rideaux d’origamis destiné à un centre associatif pour y faire entrer un peu de couleur.
- Pour les cartes postales, c’est l’occasion, pour une personne âgée isolée, de recevoir un courrier adressé qui parle d’un moment doux, d’un souvenir ou d’une rencontre extraordinaire et qui permet une parenthèse.
We hung the origami at the CHU Étoile of the Aurore Association, which provides housing for families, and the feedback was joyful: “we will be able to organize workshops with the families, it’s simple, fun, easy, and it brings color! Thank you!” – Charles M., social worker.
We distributed the postcards in the geriatric unit of Paul Brousse Hospital in Villejuif. This is a care and support service for isolated elderly individuals at the end of life, managed by the Aurore Association. Some individuals never receive visitors, and therefore never receive mail. The feedback was moving: “it’s beautiful, it comforts me, and it brings back memories” “I will read it again” – patients / “it’s the idea of exchange, and everyone finds a point, an element that reminds them of something. It’s an opening to the outside world… we really must do this again!” – Erick B., department head
