L'Envol, France
Recreational therapy for children with serious illnesses
Created in 1994, L’ENVOL pour les enfants européens (L’ENVOL) is an association organizing recreational therapy for children suffering from serious illnesses. Its residential program, which are entirely free of charge for the families, are designed to help the children heal psychologically and in the way they interact with others, alongside their medical treatment.
Psychological and social support
L’ENVOL offers psychological and social support for children aged 7-17 with serious illnesses. The children complete 7-day residential stays in the summer and fall, during which they are supported every step of the way by L’ENVOL's permanent team and by volunteers, including medical volunteers. These stays represent real truces in the disease guaranteeing personalized medical support and activities adapted to each child, regardless of age and pathology.
A complement to medical treatment
The association's support program is based on recreational therapy, which provides a vital complement to medical treatment of an illness. L’ENVOL offers its young beneficiaries various sporting and artistic activities such as the “JT”. The JT offers children to animate and make a real television news, using the same techniques than the TV channels namely a drafting work, the production of reports and a live broadcast.
These stays enable children to rebuild their self-confidence and their social ties. The children's families are also included. In 2018, for example, 340 people took part in recreational stays: 258 sick children and 40 of their brothers and sisters took part, as well as other family members. In addition to these activities, the association provides a permanent, secure medical environment.
258 people took part in recreational stays in 2016, including sick children, their siblings and their parents.
L’ENVOL
Involvement of the Air Liquide Foundation
In 2016, the Air Liquide Foundation funded the purchase of medical equipment and furnishings to transform the infirmary into a "castle", a magical place where the medical staff dress up as fairy-tale characters! In 2018, the Foundation renews its support by funding equipment for shooting and editing the “television news” activity.
© L'ENVOL