REPORT. "I'm gaining self-confidence and it feels good": in Aisne, this community laundry supports women in reintegration

Dares (the statistical service of the Ministry of Labor) is due to publish the number of job seekers registered with France Travail in the second quarter of 2025 on Tuesday, July 29. This precariousness of which women are the first victims. Always at the forefront of forced part-time work and precarious employment, they represent 54% of the poor in France.

To help them, numerous initiatives are being implemented across France. Such as in Bohain-en-Vermandois, a rural commune in the Aisne region where 31% of residents are unemployed. For nearly 30 years, the Savoir Fer community laundry has been offering integration contracts to unemployed people, especially women.

Behind her ironing board, Wendy heats up her iron. For three years, this single mother of three was unemployed and was starting to give up. And then, five months ago, the 28-year-old discovered this community laundry. "Before, I didn't really like ironing. Now I like it... because I do it," she admits. She now works 26 hours a week. "We iron, we fold the laundry, and then we clean from time to time."

All this under the watchful eye of Marie-Jo Tonnelier, the workshop manager. She trains employees with kindness and assesses their skills and behavior. "We're not going to turn them into professional ironers," she acknowledges . " There are very few jobs in the sector. On the other hand, it's about identifying skills on the construction site that we can transfer to their idea of a professional project, such as 'do they follow the instructions we're going to give?'"

Like arriving on time, being rigorous and understanding teamwork. "We are a learning company," Marie-Jo repeats. With the goal, behind it, of helping them build a professional project, or even to retrain. This is the case, for example , of Colline, 28 years old. She arrived less than a year ago, after some temporary experience in sales. Thanks to the construction sites, I discovered the job of administrative assistant and, suddenly, I started with this project idea and I would like to stay in it."

Alongside her work at Savoir Fer, she will then be able to do work placements in companies. "I had the opportunity to talk with managers in large companies, to have responsibilities. In September, for example, I will be in charge of the entire workshop. I am gaining more confidence in myself and that feels good, it makes me stand out."

Coline is slowly finding her motivation and her smile again. "Since leaving high school, I've always had long periods of low spirits, where I'd find a job and then find none. You lose confidence, you don't dare leave the house much. Now, we have a more stable situation."

"We can treat ourselves a little from time to time. We were able to buy our house, we live better, of course."

Wendy, too, is regaining her self-confidence. "I'm getting out of the house, I've made friends," she rejoices. She says that even her eldest daughter has noticed a change in attitude: "She's happy, she's proud of me."

The association also provides social support to help these women overcome barriers to integration, explains Catherine Gavériaux, director of the local plan for integration and employment in Vermandois and director of the Vermandois Emploi association . We're going to work on childcare by mobilizing childminders. And then we have a mobility platform that allows us to work on highway code workshops."

Courses that Wendy is taking, as she wants to get into the building maintenance sector. Except that without a permit, it's unthinkable, she says: "You have to travel, sometimes outside Bohain," she adds. She explains that she takes courses "one hour on Monday morning, one hour in the afternoon," and occasionally at other times. "The boss is accommodating," says the young mother.

Monitoring that does not stop at the end of the integration contract. You could very well have someone who has found a job, and suddenly, bang, their car breaks down, and they say to themselves 'I'm not going to be able to go to work anymore', that's not possible. With our mobility platform, we're taking the plunge! You can rent an electric car while your car is being repaired."

“Long-term support is important to avoid breakups.”

Catherine Gavériaux, director of the Vermandois Emploi association

to franceinfo

The association doesn't just want to help these women find their way back to work, but also give them autonomy and the keys to finding sustainable employment. This system is proving its worth, assures Marie-Jo Tonnelier, who has a list in mind of these women who have been through Savoir Fer and become independent . "They are more beautiful" when they have finished their contract here, "they become more beautiful through work."