Equal Opportunities for Older Women
About the initiative Content and framework conditions Organisational background Back
Boutique en maison de retraite (Boutique in a Home for the Elderly)
Communicational details
Address:
3, Rue Georges Citerne
75015 Paris
France
Contact persons and their known foreign languages:
Mme Renate Gossard, First Chairwoman and Founder, German, English
Telephone: + 33 (0)1 40 58 17 15 ; portable : 06 67 96 56 72
Telefax: + 33 (0)6 23 84 79 69
E-Mail: renategossard@wanadoo.fr
Internet:
About the initiative
Status of the initiative:

The initiative is an initiative aimed at improving equal opportunities for older women through an organisation that pursues objectives which are independent of gender or age.
The initiative is independent and has the following legal form: registered association
The initiative has the dicisive support of the following organisation:
Panthères grises France (Graue Panther Frankreich)
Address:
3, Rue Georges Citerne
75015 Paris
France
Telephone: + 33 (0)1 40 58 17 15 ; portable : 06 67 96 56 72
Telefax: + 33 (0)6 23 84 79 69
E-Mail: renategossard@wanadoo.fr
Internet:
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Content and framework conditions of the project work
The initiative was founded in: 1992
The initiative was founded because of the following reasons:

This initiative arose from two observations: (1) that people living in homes for the elderly have difficulty shopping for small necessities, and (2) that they lose all sense of the value of money.
Target group(s): Residents of a home for the elderly.
Targets: By selling small articles, the boutique creates a link with the outside world. Through the use of money, it represents "outside" reality - especially for those who can no longer get out of the home. The boutique also fulfils the practical goal of allowing the residents to afford themselves little treats and to handle money sensibly.
Details of the work done by the initiative:

First we obtained permission from the home administration to open a boutique, and then we surveyed the residents as to what they would like to see offered there. We buy the articles we sell (chocolate, sweets, stockings, writing papers, ballpoint pens, soap, eau de cologne, etc.) in a supermarket. In the course of the years we regularly poll the residents to see if they are satisfied with what we have on offer.
Areas of work of the initiative:
Social contacts
Meaningful recreation in homes for the aged - help for those in need of care/nursing
Success that the initiative has achieved:

Since its opening in 1992, the boutique has been doing well. The most important sign of success for us has been the satisfaction of the residents: the joy it gives them to buy sweets for their great-grandchildren!
Problems that the initiative has been faced during its work:

Almost none; only minor difficulties buying in articles for the boutique.
Participation of the target group concerning the conception, planning and implementation of the initiative's work:

Two women - one 85 and the other 87, look after the cashbook.
Co-operation:

From the start with the administration of the home.
Information:

We are available for people interested in receiving more information on our initiative by phone, post or e-mail.
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Organisational background of the initiative
Staff:
Budget:
Sources of funding:
Publications or information material available on our initiative:
Recommended literature:
Tips and suggestions for people interested in foundig a similar initiative:
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2001-04-25