Chasseneuil: Free sports activities for municipal employees.

During the second session, on Wednesday, September 13th, the community hall was transformed into a playground for an hour of fun. « We start with simple activities, muscle warm-ups, coordination exercises, and games. The goal is for these sessions to be enjoyable. The first time, we offered yoga. There will also be outdoor sessions with activities like Nordic walking, » explains Grégory Vazelle, a sports educator in Chasseneuil for 17 years and responsible for the Sports Health Center: « Its role is to promote health through sports, in schools, through prescription sports, and now also among municipal employees. »

Ces séances de sport gratuites mises en place depuis la rentrée démarrent par un premier cycle de six semaines, pour lequel la Mutuelle nationale territoriale (MNT), la mutuelle des agents de la fonction publique territoriale, est partenaire. « Nous accompagnons les projets qui participent à la prévention et au bien-être au travail. Nous aidons financièrement la mise en place avec notamment des séances plus théoriques sur les troubles musculosquelettiques, l’alimentation, le sommeil… », souligne Audrey Iaichouchen, responsable développement de la MNT en Charente, qui participe aux séances.

Le dispositif sera pérennisé

The sports sessions will continue throughout the year and agents who wish to can join in. « We conducted a survey to determine the time and day. Wednesday allows school staff to participate. All services and all ages are represented, » says Michèle Terrade, first deputy.

It allows for a little escape, to take a break from work.

Sandrine Chabernaud, who is currently filling in as an Atsem (Specialized Territorial Agent for Nursery Schools) at the age of 48, is delighted with the opportunity: « It’s refreshing, diverse, and we receive great support. I do sports, such as cycling, on my own, but I am very happy to participate in these classes. » Martine, her 63-year-old colleague who prefers not to disclose her name, adds: « It’s truly a wonderful idea. It allows us to escape a little and take a break from work. It also encourages me to engage in physical activities once I retire. »

The present agents collectively add another advantage to these sports sessions: « We meet between departments, which is not necessarily the case throughout the year. » Pierre-Hermann Mugnier, the director of services who also participates in the sessions, agrees as he catches his breath. The municipality also offers swimming pool slots to the agents. Fabrice Point ensures that « this arrangement will be continued, especially if it continues to be such a success. »