Onboard his camper van designed for public reception, Jérôme Brière, along with his daughter Héloïse and the volunteers from the association Le Camion douche, meet people living on the streets or in inadequate housing through outreach programs or scheduled appointments.
Inside, they have the opportunity to take a shower and access hygiene products: soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste...
This innovative service did not exist in the pink city before the association was created 10 years ago. Until then, Toulouse had 4 fixed structures that welcomed the homeless, one municipal and three associative, providing about 24 showers for approximately 3,000 to 4,000 people living on the streets, according to the latest census, not counting those in inadequate housing. In summary, access to hygiene proves to be particularly challenging.
The mobile service, besides going directly to meet the public, spares them the fatigue of having to travel to a fixed structure. “Stepping away from hygiene means stepping away from others, from oneself,” explains Jérôme Brière. "Returning to hygiene can allow one to restart, to get back on track to get out of this situation. Having access to a shower can enable social life, secure an appointment with administration, or with an employer. Mentally, it boosts them.”
