Organizations for solidarity and mutual aid Rennes

In 2017, the Maison des Citoyens and its metropolis took over the Italian concept of suspended coffee in Rennes, which involves ordering two coffees and consuming only one, with the other going to someone in need. The concept quickly caught on, not only in food (soup, baguette or even suspended galette-saucisse!), but also yoga classes, haircuts, show tickets or books offered by retailers and solidarity partners. Participating establishments are identified by the "suspendu = solidaire" logo and listed in a directory compiled by La Maison des Citoyens. An initiative that promotes everyday generosity.

Desire for eating organic, but you are lost in the jungle of labels and labels? Do you want to give a nudge in the right direction to disabled workers, but do not know where to place? La Boutique Solidaire Bretagne is for you! Hit with its door, you can not buy anything, it there is on the Net that happens. The project of this association, launched there has two years, is to create a network of actors of sustainable development and solidarity economy, a sort of "hub" on the Website, according to a terminology in fashion. You will find more than a hundred cards, which will advise you where to find organic beer near home, a craftsman specialised in the écoconstruction, or in the stays in respectful rural cottages of the environment. It is very well done, you can find a few clicks produces it or the wanted service, and contact it directly by telephone or e-mail, in Brittany, extended to the Loire-Atlantique region. Careful, it is not just a simple directory of the solidarity economy in the region! The listed actors are selected by a uniting advisory committee of the public and private agencies (Regional Court of social economy - Agro Organic - 35, Aproche Eco-Habitat - Peasant- Brittany Reception), according to a demanding charter. The initiative is anyway welcome, and allows you to have serious guarantees, at a time when the "consommactor" has rather tend to get lost in the profusion of sometimes meaningless labels.

Housed in 300 m² premises in the Courrouze district, this Rennes-based micro-institution, set up in 2011, has never been so much in tune with the times: in the spirit of recycling and DIY. It's an associative and participative workshop open to all bike lovers! On site, the team teaches you how to take care of your two-wheeler. You can come on a self-repair basis, or benefit from the help of our salaried staff or volunteers. A veritable breeding ground for the spirit of solidarity, La Petite Rennes also offers low-cost purchases of new and used parts, as well as functional bikes restored by the team. Numerous rides and events are also offered throughout the year.

The Société Protectrice des Animaux (SPA) in Rennes is a safe, cozy place for your pets. Since 1845, this renowned association has been helping abandoned or mistreated animals. In addition to sheltering animals, the SPA also cares for the animals of destitute owners. Its team works tirelessly to raise public awareness and find loving homes for all its residents. If you'd like to adopt a new companion, make a donation or become a volunteer, don't hesitate to push open the doors of this place of love and generosity.

Founded in 1946, Secours Catholique helps the most vulnerable in France and around the world. Its 900 salaried employees and some 58,000 volunteers are involved in a wide range of causes, including emergency situations, welcoming migrants and refugees, literacy training and prison work. In Rennes, the association carries out a wide range of actions, divided into three areas of activity: homelessness and conviviality, migrants and the general public. Close to the people, volunteers are on the lookout for homeless people, offering luggage storage and administrative assistance, organizing soccer tournaments to foster social ties, and French courses to help people integrate into society...

Since 2010, the "Sortir! card" has provided access to culture for people on low incomes (regardless of age). It enables them to organize cultural outings, enjoy a leisure activity or practice a sport at a lower cost. The scheme has been set up in 36 communes of Rennes Métropole, representing over 900 partner structures (swimming pools, cinemas, theaters, sports clubs, etc.). To apply, visit your local Centre Communal d'Action Sociale. Since 2019, students with grants (levels 2 to 7) can also benefit from the "Sortir!" card. Note that the card is printed on the Korrigo "Services" card.

In the west of the agglomeration, the Écocentre de is a project created by the City of Rennes in 2003. The site is essentially open to educational and social actors, such as teachers or associations, who can raise public awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues. At the Taupinais, we develop, grow, recycle… Animals and gardens are there to make young (but not only) governments. Isaïs, Shania or Pyros (the horse, cow and dog respectively) welcomes you and will meet with swine and other biquettes! Water is heated by solar energy and wood is the primary source of energy for heating. For children and the larger, a good way to learn gestures that make it possible to live with its environment.

By highlighting the importance of hygiene as a factor in good health, and the need to make it accessible to the most underprivileged, the Bulles Solidaires association proposes, via awareness-raising and collection operations, to collect your beauty and hygiene products and redistribute them to people in precarious situations. Professional hairdressing and beauty treatments are also provided for special events. The association also has a shower camper van, La Bulle Mobile, which travels around Rennes and the surrounding area. The website lists the association's actions and collection points, and provides tips on how to help in your own way.

Since 1983, the Maple Leaf has been working under the sign of generosity, reintegration and recycling. We all know about the trucks bearing the famous maple leaf, which travel around the city to collect cardboard packaging and crates. The association offers companies, local authorities and private individuals the opportunity to take charge of their paper and cardboard, in addition to the collection provided by Rennes Métropole. If you are a large consumer of newspapers or cardboard packaging, make a gesture and contact these recycling professionals. The point? You participate in a more ecological waste management, as the materials collected are recovered and transformed into less polluting paper. Their recycled products are available in sheets, envelopes, notebooks, pads, travel books, firelighters, toilet paper, moving boxes that you can also buy... So, come and drop off your papers for free. La Feuille d'Erable also offers in-company training and pedagogical activities in schools and educational institutions as well as waste diagnostics.

A concept created in Amsterdam in 2009, Brittany's first Repair Café opened its doors in the Cleunay district in 2015. Today, there are five in the Rennes metropolis! The idea? Rather than throwing away broken or broken-down everyday items (toasters, bicycles, coffee makers, etc.), anyone can bring them to the Repair Café, where volunteer tinkerers will do their utmost to give them a second life. It's a real space for exchange and transmission, as they'll show you how to go about repairing together. In the spirit of the times, this friendly (cafés for everyone!), ecological and economical (it's free) concept has not aged a day.

Located in the heart of the Prévalaye district, the Jardin des Mille Pas is an educational, agro-ecological garden where a thousand things happen. In addition to direct sales of vegetables grown on site, you can also take part in workshops and day-long courses to learn how to grow your own vegetable garden naturally, discover edible or medicinal plants, or find out more about the virtues of trees. Children are also welcome, with activities created just for them. The Jardin des Mille Pas even offers training courses for those wishing to embark on a career in sustainable agriculture. What a program!

Very popular in Berlin and Quebec, solidarity fridges have been introduced in Rennes by the Bug association. Now numbering five, these Frigotroc fridges have a dual purpose: to combat food waste (20 to 30 kg of food is wasted per person per year!) and to make a civic gesture. Anyone can drop off food (fruit, vegetables, dried goods, canned goods, etc.) and help themselves. Good to know before dropping off: wrap the product, label it with the date and our name to guarantee traceability, do not drop off fresh produce (meat, fish, dairy products) or products whose use-by date has passed. Frigotroc access times can be consulted online.

Present in Rennes since 1983, the MCE brings together consumer and environmental associations working together on issues affecting the daily lives and environment of individuals. MCE also provides legal assistance, training and documentation to consumer associations in Brittany. It also promotes nature in the city and natural gardening. Discover our Resource and Documentation Center, a free space accessible to all, with a large documentary database.

The MIR is a lively organization, offering a wide range of events throughout the year. We could mention, for example, the discovery of Brazil through cinema, Europe Days, extracurricular workshops or even the Solidarity Festival. As you can see, it's a place you'll want to visit often, to discover other cultures and open up to others in a spirit of fraternity. The Maison Internationale de Rennes brings together more than a hundred international associations in Rennes working in the fields of human rights, Europe, international solidarity, intercultural exchange and migration. The MIR hosts meetings, exhibitions, conferences and films on international solidarity and intercultural issues. Throughout the year, it is possible to organize events to discover current international affairs, and to take part in awareness-raising activities on themes linked to climate change, and the fight against inequality and discrimination. It's also a place for advice and training, enabling associations and schools to set up international development and exchange projects. A professional team welcomes, informs, advises, experiments and leads projects, in liaison with member associations. It follows the guidelines and projects set by the association's governing bodies, which include elected representatives. So don't hesitate to drop in, as it's a rich place to discover.

Rendez-vous 4C (#RDV4C) is defined as: meeting regularly around a common interest to learn how to "do" together. From then on, the possibilities are endless: practising conversation in Italian, helping each other with homework, talking about the history of the city or developing a common project... The aim is to talk, exchange, conceive; the activity and the theme are free. Open to all, anyone can participate and propose the creation of a #RDV4C with no constraints of time, duration and frequency. The list of #RDV4C is published on the site and at the Champs Libres. No registration is necessary, you just have to go on site at the indicated time.

Based in the Blosne district, the Au P'tit Blosneur association aims to foster social ties, solidarity and sharing through a wide range of activities. In a warm and welcoming space designed to be a place to live, the team of volunteers organizes cooking, DIY and computer workshops, as well as shared meals... On site, the relaxation area with its free coffee allows families and friends to get together and play board games. It's also possible to use the computer equipment available and even cook on site to delight the taste buds of local residents. An inspiring third place!

Present throughout France, the La Cloche association was born of a desire to combat the exclusion of people in precarious situations by promoting local social ties. It has developed initiatives such as Le Carillon, which enables shopkeepers to offer services to the most disadvantaged: recharging phones, reheating food, using Wifi, storing belongings... The Rennes branch also seeks to create social links through artistic and cultural activities: plays, short films, radio broadcasts... The aim is to change the way we look at the world of the street, and to give a voice to those who are not heard.