In Longué-Jumelles in western France, SDEL Energis Saumur employee Adeline Georget joined forces with the Fondation VINCI pour la Cité to sponsor the local branch of La Source Garouste, which operates in 10 French communities. Its mission is to make culture accessible to children aged 6 to 18 and their families who face social, educational or economic difficulties. 

The association works in isolated rural areas where poverty is high, in partnership with social workers, benefits agencies, schools and colleges. It organises a range of art workshops run by artists and socio-cultural mediators with the aim of sparking creativity, promoting careers in the arts, and forging social links. 

Support from the Fondation VINCI pour la Cité has helped finance these workshops in the commune of LonguéJumelles, which include: 

• Art courses at the youth cultural centre during school holidays. 

• Educational projects with Year 8 SEN classes at Collège François Truffaut and Collège SaintJoseph. 

These initiatives have a tangible impact on the young people. A teacher from Collège François Truffaut explains: 
“The art workshops organised by La Source enable our students to express themselves. Those struggling academically can discover their artistic talent, which is extremely gratifying for them. We display their artwork in public spaces, which is a tremendous source of pride for them and their families, with whom we are creating a new link.”