Bonding, an indispensable stage
Talking about Mrs. B’s qualities, the team is unanimous: he’s really adorable, gentle, and calm.
It took some time to create our bond. During the first contacts, he was dismissive. As soon as we made a concrete proposal or put a direct question, he asked us to leave. But it was unthinkable to abandon him to his difficult living conditions. Rather, we had to accept his rhythm, without rushing him.
We established the bond through philosophical discussions, periods of silence and his occasional shy smile.
While he remained aloof, the team sought ways to support him as best we could, to show him he could count on us and that his situation could be improved.
Taking advantage of changing circumstances…
One day, road works made him leave the spot on the street where he had established himself for some years and gathered a lot of stuff. Now he had to move, both physically and psychologically.
And he accepted that we stayed by his side during this transition.
He then expressed the wish to find shelter somewhere. Via Samusocial he got a place in an accommodation center where he stayed for 3 months.
During that stay, he agreed to launch several administrative procedures. And sometimes we also went for a walk in the sunshine. Everything clicked into place to imagine a better future.
…. to find, together, a lasting solution
And then we could offer him a lasting solution: the modular housing project…
Mr. B. moved into his new home on a Tuesday after having lived on the street for 6 years.
SIt’s quite visible that he’s now well established there. He receives us with a cup of coffee. Medical appointments have been made to get his health back on track.
And he let us know what this home had given him: peace of mind and, physically, the possibility to get a rest.
We wish him every success for this new phase of life! And we thank the network for the co-operation which provided Mr. B. with a new home.
--
(*) We do our utmost to respect the privacy of our patients and our professional secrecy. However, we want to testify to how they must survive and how we are working together to reintegrate them. As a result, the names of places and people are deliberately omitted or changed and real-life situations are placed in a different context. There is no direct link between the photos and the stories above.