Stories

At Street Nurses, the car is much more than a simple means of transport. Each day begins with a list of crucial medical appointments and administrative procedures.

A week ago I started work at Street Nurses. And today I meet a patient for the first time. I am excited, enthusiastic, but of course also a bit worried: will Mr. M. want to meet me, how will he respond to this contact? Many questions are spinning through my mind.

On a Thursday in October, I went to the burial of a person we had accompanied, Mr. B.

When I tell my family that my job sometimes involves spending an afternoon in a café or playing a game of pétanque in the morning, they often smile. They probably think I have a very easygoing job. But behind this seemingly relaxed approach lies a profound mission: guidance and reconstruction.

In this report by Cathobel, we follow an outreach with Margaux and Aymeric and end in Willy's apartment with Pauline.

My name is Cloé and I have been a nurse for 6 years. From the beginning of my career, I was attracted to social work, which automatically brought me to work for the homeless. For two years now I have been part of the non-profit organization Street Nurses, dedicated to accompanying this vulnerable group of people. 

In our institution we regularly form mixed teams. Then we exchange colleagues from different departments to immerse ourselves together in field work. Today it’s my turn to spend a morning in the field with a colleague from the street team.

When we meet her, we sometimes catch a glimpse of one of her blue eyes, but her face remains hidden. She protects herself by concealing it as much as possible.

Mr. R. has been followed by Street nurses for over 1 year. His attending physician tells us he’s worrying about him, because already 4 years ago he lost his home and is going back and forth between the street and his mother.

We've been following Mrs G. for nearly 3 years.

The link came about little by little, with ups and downs, good and bad times. She is in Belgium without papers. The possibilities to shelter and take care of her are therefore limited.

I sometimes leave my job very angry because of the conditions we must sometimes work in. Let me explain.

Mr. M.* is accompanied in his home by the Housing First team, after he moved in following 20 years without a roof over his head. The way he adapts to his home, without being a long calm river, is still a success. He got settled, developed new habits, and does not even think of going back. This is a sociable person, who likes to be surrounded, tell his stories, talk about his setbacks and his passions.