OUR HISTORY

History of Le Roseau

When the Saint-Luc University Clinics were established in 1976, the possibility of housing the mother and child was not provided for in Pediatrics.

What to do about the disarray of families?

The social service of the Clinics, led by Jean-Marie Draguet, is sensible and outsiders  are willing to find solutions together,  including Myriam Blondel and Bernadette  Poullet  who have worked  to create shelters  near other hospitals.

When the Saint-Luc University Clinics were established in 1976, the possibility of housing the mother and child was not provided for in Pediatrics. What to do about the disarray of families? The social service of the Clinics, led by Jean-Marie Draguet, is sensible and outsiders are willing to find solutions together, including Myriam Blondel and Bernadette Poullet who have worked to create shelters near other hospitals. When the Saint-Luc University Clinics were established in 1976, the possibility of housing the mother and child was not provided for in Pediatrics. What to do about the disarray of families? The social service of the Clinics, led by Jean-Marie Draguet, is sensible and outsiders are willing to find solutions together, including Myriam Blondel and Bernadette Poullet who have worked to create shelters near other hospitals.

” My husband must be hospitalized, and we have never been apart for 40 years of marriage. I want to stay close to him: what can I do? “

A first response is given by providing accommodation on the site, at home or more rarely at the hotel, which required social workers to be creative and required a constant search for available housing.

But the difficulty and apprehension of travelling in the capital and the feeling of being indebted to the host family indicated that a specific place close to the hospital was necessary.

” The Professor wants to hospitalize our child, but we do not want to leave him alone “

Visits to France at the “Rosier Rouge” in Paris and at the Maison de Lille revealed that French houses were organized for several hospitals with a system of volunteer drivers and had a strict professional structure and regulations. Instead, the founders wanted the house to be dedicated to a single clinic and to have a family atmosphere.

A specific location close to the hospital was needed.

The creation of Le Roseau

The nonprofit “Le Roseau” was founded in February 1980. The house physically opened  its doors in October 1980 with 12 beds. The objectives were clear:

  • Provide a space outside the hospital but which is totally and exclusively reserved for them
  • On a place accessible on foot in less than 5 minutes. Physical proximity brings the family closer to the patient because “if something ever happens, you’re there fast.”
The foundations, the search for a building to land in

The team of early volunteers provided the rapidly growing capacity from 12 beds in October 1980 to 26 beds at the end of 1980 and 40 beds in 1982, spread over various studios and rented apartments on the site.

In 1983, the starting team passed the torch to Sister Rosa Vergaelen, a nun at the Sacred Heart Institute in Heverlee..

In 1986, Le Roseau made its first acquisition by purchasing 13 studios at number 25 of the Clos Chapelle au Champs. With 33 studios and apartments rented, it expands its capacity to 96 beds.

In 1990, Le Roseau bought 4 floors of the Carnoy 12 building to total 124 beds. This purchase is grouped with the mandatory acquisition of 25 garages.

The soul of the Roseau and its special flavor, the extension to other services

In January 1991, Sister Rosa retired. Anne Rochet is engaged. The first few weeks were exciting but challenging. With two volunteers, Françoise Naveau and Bénédicte Graindorge,and Jean-Marie Draguet, president of the Roseau and director of the clinics’ social service, it was necessary to ensure the permanence of the 24 hours and to build a team of volunteers.

The team is gradually building with 18 volunteers in 1993 and 30 volunteers in 2000. In 2002, le Roseau bought the number 13, an adjoining business. Freeing up space, this extension allows to create the game room, animated since 2003 by the Libellule Kot, a second TV lounge, a meeting room and the two duplexes to total 130 beds. In May 2005, patients in the day hospital can now spend the night following their operation at the Roseau. It was a pilot project unique in Belgium at the time. In 2006,

it was the turn of number 14 to be acquired by le Roseau, which transformed this snack into the Espace Roseau, a unique place that brings together close to the hospital different associations.

The contribution of modernity and renewal

In June 2011, Laurence Van Nieuwenhuyse took over the management of le Roseau, in tandem with Anne Rochet who will retire at the end of May 2012.

The Wi-Fi, the renovation of the living rooms and then the rooms, gradually brought more comfort to the residents.

As of April 1, 2015, all volunteers are switching to computer science. A sizeable project entirely designed and led by Alain Stoz, volunteer.

On September 1, 2018, le Roseau school opens its doors and welcomes children between the age of 2,5 and 18.

In 2020, the Board of Directors of le Roseau decides to move to a major renovation. Le Roseau was designed as a family home, with a simple and functional interior layout. Attitudes and needs have changed. Hygiene and safety standards are no longer the same. The changing profile of stays and residents leads le Roseau to rethink itself to maintain the welcome of all with respect for everyone.

Historic moments
  • visit of Queen Fabiola on 24 June 1996 for the 15th anniversary of Le Roseau
  • From 18 to 20 May 2003, Le Roseau welcomes 70 French and 25 Belgians active in other shelters for the “19th Congress of Reception Homes” which was taking place for the first time outside France.
  • March 22, 2006, organization of the show “Sois Belge et Tais-toi” in order to raise funds for the creation of the “Espace Roseau”.
  • October 22, 2007, organization of the “second breath” cinema preview, in aid of Le Roseau and the Roseau space.
  • March 20, 2010, organization of the show “Framboise Frivole” on the 30th anniversary of Le Roseau
  • On November 30, 2012, the ensemble “Camerata Vocale” gives a concert to benefit Le Roseau in front of more than 450 people
  • May 22, 2015, Le Roseau celebrates its transition to Information Technology
  • On October 23, 2015, “Bach to Rock III” takes us on a wonderful musical journey back in time during the evening ” Coup de Coeur du Bourgmestre  Olivier  Maingain”  organized to benefit Le Roseau  in  Wolubilis.
  • On June 21, 2015, 13 gardens open their grounds for a private visit organized by the Saint Luc Foundation to benefit Le Roseau
  • September 1, 2017: Escale School moves to Le Roseau. A branch of the Escale school opens at Le Roseau, to the delight of the children who stay there. They are enchanted, assiduous and wonderfully supervised. The whole team of Le Roseau is thrilled to realize this project that allows children to continue to learn and discover despite the disease.
  • On April 27, 2017, the Men’s Choir “The Anonymous of the 20th Century “and Marie-Noelle de  Callatay  give a concert to benefit Le Roseau in front of more than 450 people.
  • March 2 and 3, 2018: Le Roseau is chosen as the beneficiary of the show “La Chaperonne Emechée” during two evenings, no less than 18 singers on stage and 13 live musicians in the orchestra pit who played for the benefit of 10 associations including Le Roseau.
  • autumn 2020, official launch of the Nouveau Roseau project !