A scheme of solidarity traders to help the homeless in Montpellier

They are recognizable by the label displayed on the shop windows. Three blue bells on a white background, the logo of the “Le Carillon” device. This means that the trade in question offers a whole bunch of free homeless services Montpellier. From sandwiches, to phone charging, to access to the toilet or a shower. In the maneuver, the national association The bellwhich installed the concept in Montpellier in March 2022. For now, 14 businesses are associated with itall in the Ecusson district downtown.

The device is not yet known to all. Brandon for example, a 22 year old homeless, discovers it. “It looks really good! There are often businesses that refuse us, even to fill a bottle of water for my dogs… It’s a bit shit what. Now I know which ones can accommodate us, so I’ll know where to go“, explains the one who living on the street for two years.

Develop the “social link”

One of the businesses that receives the most homeless people is the Solo Caferue Saint-Guilhem. four to five people per day on average. The establishment is now identified. “At the beginning, it was us who went to them in the street, to offer them a coffee or something to eat. Then, we explain to them that we are part of an association and that we are also there for that. We try to give what we can, I don’t see it as a financial cost. It’s really the solidarity aspect“, says jessicathe site manager.

And that’s what is working to deploy The bell daily. “The heart of our subject is the social link. We often talk about the invisible when we talk about people on the street, in fact, contacts are made very little. I think that the current challenges, societal and environmental, and the potential disasters to come can only really be stemmed by mutual aid. It’s a fundamental notion and for that, we have to learn to look at each other and to communicate together with everyone.“, details Lila Ruiz de Somocurciothe head of the association in Montpellier.

Soon extended to other districts of Montpellier

If it still has to become popular, the device has everything to please, according to Laurent Onde, the boss of the Treat : “Some have told me that they don’t want to go to institutions like day care centers where it’s emotionally very strong and very involved, whereas there it’s something a little different, a little calmer and a little softer.” A voucher system has also been set up, they are offered directly by a commercial customer to the homeless or marauded to the homeless by the association. “It helps people feel more entitled to come for something than if they have nothing.”

The Geospheres bookstore is among the traders involved for “remember that a bookstore is above all a local business“, explains Anne, an employee. “Our customers can participate in a kitty in the name of the Carillon and the homeless will then be able to choose a new book by deducting from this kitty. It is important that read access is also chosen access. And not just help yourself to our unsold products“, she continues.

The “Le Carillon” device should now be extended in the Beaux-Arts and Cévennes districts Montpellier.