18th house : Les Foyers de Bothey

Constellations in association with Les Foyers de Bothey Asbl

The non-profit organisation Les Foyers de Bothey, located near Gembloux, was founded in 1972.

This residential centre now accommodates 60 adults with mental disabilities.

The main house, located in the village of Bothey, houses 41 residents, 28 of whom have a dual diagnosis (intellectual disability associated with a mental disorder).

With fifty years of expertise, the team has developed a support model recognized by professionals in the sector. The Foyers de Bothey are distinguished by a deeply individualised approach, a wide range of activities (well-being, relaxation, learning, social utility) and constant attention to the mental and physical health of the residents. Maintaining family ties, promoting independence and adapting to ageing are also major priorities.

However, the main building no longer meets the needs of an ageing population: recurrent infiltrations, lack of accessibility (many steps), non-compliance with fire safety standards, etc. These obstacles severely hinder the daily lives of residents. It is in this context that the reconstruction project was born, with an overall budget of €6,665,000.

It provides for the creation of four new living units, designed to significantly improve reception conditions:

Smaller units, promoting a family and soothing atmosphere;
Improved accessibility, thanks in particular to the installation of an elevator in each house;
Sustainable energy solutions, to reduce the carbon footprint and improve comfort;
An architecture adapted to the challenges of ageing and the overall well-being of residents.

The project has already reached several important milestones: the AViQ has validated the plans and the application for planning permission has been submitted. The answer is expected by the end of the year.

The main challenge remains the financing of the balance to be found, i.e. €3,500,000.

In this context, the support of Constellations will be an essential lever to convince partner foundations and allow this project to succeed.