The Point de Repère is a day centre for homeless young people aged from 18 to 25.
It is open all day from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The project includes an alcohol-free bar and aims to cater to the needs of young people in a friendly climate, showing respect for each and every one of them.
Young people on the streets are in enormous danger from the various forms of drug addiction. The Point de Repère team takes great care to offer specific responses and develops preventive, support initiatives on both social and health levels. The centre has been CAARUD (Centre d'Accueil et d'Accompagnement à la Réduction des Risques pour les Usagers de Drogues – Reception and Support Centre for the Reduction of Risks for Drug Users) accredited since 2006. There is also a branch of the ABEJ health centre here in order to make it easier for homeless young people to gain access to treatment and preventive measures. Everyone is eligible for individualised social support although this is not compulsory.
There are numerous services on offer: toilets, showers, medical consultations, free nursing care, consultations with a psychologist, breakfast, post collection service, needle exchange. It should be noted that a key worker reaches out to homeless young people, in the very places where they struggle to survive and another goes into prisons to retain links with young inmates and help them to get ready for release and to try and prevent repeat offences. Beyond the specific help on offer, the reception staff work hard to listen and welcome people living on the streets. Faced with the large number of needs that need to be met, the ABEJ-Lille opens its doors to volunteers who wish to offer their time and support. The association hopes to develop its partnerships with any organisations wishing to get involved in working alongside the most deprived people in our society. Preventive and risk reduction initiatives: Once they have come to the centre, drug addicts can obtain clean equipment and exchange syringes discreetly and anonymously. This means distributing the following: a sachet of individually packaged citric acid, sterile water, alcohol-treated compresses, syringes, healing ointment, condom, lubricant gel, small sterile spoons, etc.
The aim of this initiative is to :
- Give people a chance to see the doctor, - Provide drug addicts with information and increase their awareness, - Help to develop risk-free sexual practices, especially for prostitutes (both male and female), - Create trust between people in order to open up a dialogue
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