11 partners of BlueLink have contributed to the investigation into hygiene, launched by the Samusocial de Paris.

The Samusocial de Paris has appealed to their partners in order to participate in a study related to hygiene and skin disorder of people in social vulnerability in the French capital. The aim was to describe the difficulties of their personal hygiene, and dermatological disorder by which they may be affected. Insisting on voluntary cooperation minimizes the financial impact of the inquiry of such extent; furthermore, the project “makes it possible to explain the volunteers what the Samusocial is, what its mission and contribution to change the general public's view of Homeless People. It's simply a gesture of solidarity,” maintains Emmanuelle Guyavarch, director of the Observatory of the Samusocial de Paris.


A chauffeur mission was willingly carried out by 11 employees of the BlueLink centre in Paris, as a part of a skills sponsorship program, developed by public interest grouping. They drove through the streets of Paris in a van during one day to meet homeless people, together with a nurse and an investigator on board. Amandine thus had “a completely valuable experience. [She] met lovely people, who are always in a cheerful mood, despite their distress and hardship.” This experience allowed some people, such as Marc, to change their standpoint towards those who live on in the street: “I wouldn’t have expected such a difference between my understanding the reality and the real conditions. I’m glad that I could share those moments with homeless people, giving them a smile, and turning my attention to them.” The missionary workers, however, insisted on the importance of involvement, kindness and courage of the Samusocial’s teams.

The results of this study will enable to submit the recommendations of illness prevention and health care investigated, by the participants who fought against the marginalization of socially vulnerable people. The aim is to put the recommendations into practice in order to render the increasing number of homeless people.

*BlueLink has been involved in the skills sponsorship with the Samusocial de Paris since October 2008. The company makes available five voluntary employees out of 115 for the time period of 6 months to 2 years.