Volunteer profile: Emmy

We interviewed Emmy, 16, a high-school math and physics student in Marseille. Emmy is a volunteer for Art Explora Foundation and has on several occasions carried out the Allô Miró mission in EHPAD, sharing art and culture with people who are the furthest removed from it. She spoke to us about her commitment:

How did you discover Art Explora ?

A bit by chance. I had been looking for a cause to get involved with for a while and came across this one through the government website I want to help. I immediately embraced the idea of the foundation, especially as an art lover, I saw it as an excellent opportunity to share my passion with the public.

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Why you-to the missions?

programme Allô Miró was an opportunity to maintain this passion while sharing it with the elderly, a public I appreciate for its attachment. Finally, this experience is also an opportunity to speak in front of an audience, something that hasn't always been easy. I was able to overcome this difficulty thanks to this initiative.

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What have the missions brought you personally? Would you like to continue volunteering at Art Explora ?

I'm very keen to get involved in another of the Foundation's projects. It's the same principle as Allô Miró, but in hospitals. I hope to be able to start soon!

As my school offers the "art and art history" specialization, it was an opportunity to find new volunteers and raise awareness of the Foundation. So I gave a number of talks in class about the foundation. I hope this will bear fruit!

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A particularly vivid memory?

I have two:

The first was in an EHPAD (old people's home) where there was a resident whose birthday fell on the same day as my presentation. Always smiling and motivated, I wanted to give this person a gift, but nothing fancy, just a simple gesture. She was very surprised and cried, and I was very touched by her reaction and kindness.

The second was in a different EHPAD where introductions are made in groups of around twenty people. I was very anxious about this, but when I arrived, the residents put me at ease. We talked together for almost two hours (although the scheduled time was 45 minutes), about art and many other subjects. I had a wonderful afternoon and learned a lot.

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What does a typical volunteer look like?

In reality, there's no such thing as a perfect portrait, but I think that the most important thing is to take an interest in art, whatever your skills in the field. Motivation and passion are the keys to bringing the painting to life and having a good time with the residents. Anyone can be a volunteer, you just have to take the plunge!

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