In the village of Sciecq, near Niort in France, an unusual living arrangement has been created at the Les Vignes retirement home. Since January, the home has also been housing a group of unaccompanied minors from 14 to 16 years old, from African countries, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. A solution was needed to prevent the closure of the “residence autonomie.” With its private apartments, Les Vignes caters to independent individuals, a model that is becoming less popular as elderly individuals are now encouraged to stay at home until they require medical care.
The idea to house the unaccompanied minors at the Les Vignes retirement home came as a response to the difficulty in filling the facility. With a shortage of spaces in educational structures for children in the Deux-Sèvres department, actions had to be taken to comply with the “Taquet” law of 2022, which prohibits placing minors under social services in hotels starting in 2024. With over 1,000 children in care, including around 180 unaccompanied minors, the department needed to find innovative solutions to accommodate these individuals.
The unaccompanied minors were welcomed into the Les Vignes retirement home, where they were given refurbished studios to share. Despite the lack of personal belongings, the teenagers felt at home in their new living spaces. The communal area now features a display with each teenager’s photo, name, and a few drawings. Fahim, for example, drew both the Bangladeshi flag and the colors of France, with the words “Land of Love” written underneath. The environment has created a sense of belonging for the young residents, who are appreciative of this unique living situation.
Roseline Clochard, a lively nonagenarian at the residence, has found new card-playing partners in the unaccompanied minors. She shares a humorous moment with one of the teenagers who discreetly cheats during their games. The presence of the young individuals has brought new energy and interaction to the retirement home, creating an unusual but positive cohabitation between generations. The residents of the home, including Clochard, have embraced the opportunity to connect with the teenagers in this special environment.
The Les Vignes retirement home serves as a valuable example of intergenerational living and community integration. By offering a space for unaccompanied minors within its walls, the home has not only saved itself from closure but also fostered a sense of mutual understanding and support among its residents. The innovative solution to housing the minors has successfully provided a caring and inclusive environment for both the elderly and the young individuals, who have thrived in this unique cohabitation setting.
Overall, the initiative to house unaccompanied minors at the Les Vignes retirement home has proven to be a success story of community collaboration and adaptive solutions to social challenges. By transforming a traditional retirement home into a shared living space for different generations, the home has shown that diversity and inclusion can bring about positive outcomes for all involved. This intergenerational cohabitation model could serve as an inspiration for other communities facing similar issues, offering a blueprint for creating supportive environments that benefit individuals of all ages.
