Two days dedicated to children in care in the Finistère region

Two days dedicated to children in care in the Finistère region

Whilst nearly 1,000 local 9-11-year-olds and students from the Brest Maritime College, together with the sailors competing in the event and authors from the Gallimard publishing house, were invited to take part in a writing exercise on a common ocean-related theme, the organisers of the fourth edition of the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race Brest - Brest have also chosen to dedicate two days to children placed in the care of the Council of the Finistère department. As such, on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May 2023, 200 youngsters placed in specialist establishments and foster families, together with their accompanying adults, will be able to enjoy a tour of the docks, chat with the skippers and their teams and head out on the water for a sail. Furthermore, they’ll also get the chance to spend some quality time with Jean Le Cam, patron of this operation.

Child protection is something the Finistère Department is extremely proficient in. Today, nearly 2,200 minors are placed in the care of the Departmental Council and nearly as many again are monitored at home. The Departmental Council prioritises child protection in its mission to better protect and support the children entrusted to its care, making ten practical commitments to them, including the creation of additional spaces for home placements, the development of inspections performed by a home educator and the opening of more spaces for siblings. “The Council of the Finistère Department, together with the State and child protection protagonists, have created a plan for protecting children in the Finistère, whose aim is to increase hosting capacity, provide a mixture of placement methods and offer life paths geared around each child’s potential,” explains the Department.

Jean Le Cam, a patron who gets involved

The reason for this is that, since 2016, the number of children placed in care has increased by 6%, whilst the number of family support workers has plummeted. Meantime, the needs of youngsters entrusted to their care has evolved considerably: 28% of them are less able-bodied. “Over the past three years, I’ve been proud and happy to get to meet all these locals from across the Finistère whose difficulties often go unnoticed. This day of the child promises to kick-start our very first get-together with over 200 children. It’s bound to be a wonderful journey of discovery and I’m sure we’re going to have a lot of fun together,” says skipper Jean Le Cam, who has been flying the flag for the Finistère region for the past three years and will notably be sailing for the children from the ASE (Social Aid for Children) placed under the Departmental Council’s care. On 6 and 7 May 2023, the sailor will be absolutely thrilled to play host to some 200 children, who will be heading to Brest within the scope of the fourth edition of the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race Brest-Brest.

A journey of discovery into offshore racing

During these two days dedicated especially to them, the youngsters will be split into four groups and will hop aboard the sailboats Loch Mana and Dahl Madl on the Saturday, followed by a trip out on a passenger ship to watch Sunday’s start. Everyone will get the chance to enjoy some quality time with the skippers on the dock and share a picnic, before taking part in a writing workshop using postcards and concluding with an afternoon snack at the Marina du Château, with a visit from Véronique Bourbigot, Vice-president – President of the Commission for Children, Youth, Culture, Sports and Associations in the Departmental Council, followed by that of Erik Orsenna, writer and member of the Académie Française. It’s sure to be an event highlight!

Quotes 

Maël DE CALAN, President of the Council of the Finistère Department: “Currently, over 2,200 local children have been placed in the Department’s care. For the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race Brest-Brest, we were keen to dedicate a special day to them so they can discover all about the offshore racing adventure. This unique experience will give them a chance to encounter a fascinating and inspirational universe. Furthermore, the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race Brest - Brest is a fantastic opportunity to raise public awareness about child protection. We’re also very proud that Jean Le Cam has agreed to be a patron of what promises to be an incredible day and one that the children will remember for a long time to come.”