Today, I'd like to introduce you to Marion Claveirole, a 1.50m tall social worker, who founded Indiza, a social counseling structure in the Landes and Basque regions of France.
I'm particularly moved by people who force fate, even when everything seems closed, to go where they want to go.
Can you start by introducing yourself?
My name is Marion, I'm 36, and I'm the mother of two petites girls aged 8 and 5. I live in the south of France, in the Landes region on the border with the Basque Country, but I'm from Auvergne!
I'm the eldest in a family of 4 girls, 3 of them petites ! I'm 1m50 tall.
Can you tell us more about your background?
I qualified as an Auvergne state nurse in 2007. I started working for the department as a multi-skilled sector nurse. It's the most "generalist" job, because we work in a given area, for the whole population living there.
Then the desire for new horizons called me, and I went to live in South Africa for 1 ½ years. There, I volunteered in an orphanage, and also in an association that helped young people living in shantytowns to graduate from high school and go on to higher education. It was fascinating to experience other ways of helping, both in terms of the systems set up in another country, and in the aid relationship itself. The experience really fed into my thinking about my professional posture.
On my return to France, I settled in the south of the Landes region near Bayonne. I worked for the 1% housing scheme, for a social service that helps companies access housing, and for the French education system (school social worker).
It was after maternity leave following the birth of my second daughter that I trained in Power to Act (PTA) and was able to add coaching to my range of skills.
Was becoming a social worker a vocation?
Yes and no. It's an exciting job, open to the world. It bridges the gap between administrative services and social policies, the workings of which are often difficult to understand, and people who, in fragile situations, need help but don't necessarily know where to start.
There's a lot of psychology, listening and analysis involved, but also a lot of legal knowledge. You get to work with a wide variety of people, and meet different life stories every day.
That's why I love this job. I never imagined doing anything else.
Being a social worker is a wonderful job, but it must also be very difficult. Which situation has had the greatest impact on you?
It's difficult to answer this question because I'm bound by professional secrecy in the strictest sense of the word. Many situations touch me. However, I am particularly touched by people who force fate, even when everything seems closed, to go where they want to go. I'm thinking in particular of a woman I accompanied who, after years of suffering, was diagnosed with Asperger's autism. She left everything behind and arrived with nothing (no home, no acquaintances) in an unfamiliar region. She managed to get help from the professionals she had chosen, who themselves had long waiting lists for treatment. And with tenacity, when all seemed doomed to failure, she succeeded in overcoming the obstacThe to build a nest for herself and make a place for herself. I think that's wonderful, because it shows that we must always remain hopeful.
Is entrepreneurship something you've considered?
I didn't really dare consider it until after my coaching training, but I think I'd always had this desire deep down. I wanted to be able to put my own stamp on my work. However, to be an entrepreneur, you have to come up with something innovative that meets a need! There are very few self-employed social workers in France. So it was a bit of an unknown...
How did you come up with the idea of creating your own structure?
It was following my DPA (Développement du Pouvoir d'Agir) coaching training that I decided to offer services combining social work and coaching.
I also realized that the word "social worker" carries a lot of prejudice and negative associations. And that many people who are going through a difficult period either don't dare or are ashamed to knock on the door of social services. Public social services were themselves overwhelmed and understaffed, and may be unable to meet people's expectations and needs.
However, the need for help is not limited to the economically disadvantaged! At some point in our lives, we all experience more sensitive moments when a helping hand from outside would be welcome.
Often, when I meet people who are ashamed to come and see me, I tell them "if you know someone who doesn't have or has never had a problem in her life, I'd like you to introduce her to me".
The idea was to offer social counseling and coaching for everyone. I want everyone to feel comfortable consulting me. Above all, I want anyone to be able to find someone to whom they can confide their difficulties and find solutions.
I work in a wide range of fields. I can intervene in family, professional, administrative, health, relational, disability, educational, housing and decision-making issues...
I also provide in-depth support for life EDITs and self-questioning in the "coaching" section.
What's important is that everyone who comes to me with a problem comes away with one or more concrete, viable solutions. Because it's often the feeling of powerThesness that causes suffering. And when you're alone with your head in the sand, you can't see the solutions.
Indiza, can you tell us more?
Indiza is a Zulu word meaning "flight". It's a nod to my time in South Africa, where I learned so much. My logo is a little bird taking flight. The idea behind the name was to help the people who come to see me find new momentum, to take flight. To feel lighter.
Funnily enough, I live at the junction of the Landes and the Basque Country, and I've discovered that Indiza is also a Basque word meaning "the index"! A double meaning!
But it's important to specify that I consult all over France with teleconsultations!
You work with individuals, companies and local authorities on a variety of issues. What's your typical day like?
The mornings are devoted to consultations with individuals, whether in person for people living in Bayonne and the surrounding area, or by teleconsultation for the whole of France.
Every afternoon, I work in institutions (clinics, companies, local authorities).
I also work on Saturdays to leave more consultation slots. The advantage is that I'm responsive and quickly available.
As a social consultant, you're full of good advice. What tips would you give us right now for dealing with our contextual anxieties?
I'd say it's important, despite all the restrictions, to maintain our social ties. Because human beings really need contact with their peers. So we can of course be creative in combining social ties with barrier measures.
It's also important to see yourself as an actor. Because, as I said earlier, the feeling of powerThesness can really hurt. And right now, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and powerThes in the face of the health and economic crisis.
So don't hesitate to take action wherever you can. In an association, in work groups, in the family... In short, anything that makes sense to us, and above all not to lose our ability to act.
Finally, a few questions to get to know you better!
Your favorite activity in your spare time
There are lots of them, but I opt for a walk in the fresh air with my family and our new arrival at home: our petite Golden Retriever dog, for whom I have a crush.
Your everyday outfit
Skinny jeans, a cool top depending on the season, with earrings or a matching scarf.
Your favorite piece at Petite and So What
I really like them all. But I'd say the one I wear most often is the Audrey shirt, because it works just as well in warm weather as it does in winter under a sweater or cardigan. I love the collar, which adds petite refined touch to a simple outfit. But I think the shirts I've just received from the new collection will quickly take their place in my daily routine!
Your favorite dessert
A simple fruit tart.
The three things that never leave your handbag
My diary, my pretty thermos teapot and my sunglasses!
Your latest crush to share with us
Well, my famous "Flower" insulated teapot from YokoDesign. It's so pretty! It's been following me everywhere since my darling brought it back from our bulk grocery store.
My motto:
Social issues? We are ALL concerned...