In the heart of Brussels, a unique volunteer initiative called Les Brigades du Bonheur has been quietly transforming the experience of hospital stays and homebound isolation for hundreds of patients. Founded in 2015 by a group of nurses and social workers at the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel) in Jette, the organisation now operates in five hospitals across the Brussels-Capital Region and three residential care homes. Its mission is simple yet profound: to bring personalised joy, companionship, and creative distraction to those who need it most.
Les Brigades du Bonheur (the Happiness Brigades) recruit and train volunteers to visit children in paediatric wards, elderly residents in nursing homes, and adults undergoing long-term treatment. Each visit is tailored to the individual's interests and energy levels. Volunteers might read a story, play a board game, help with a craft project, or simply sit and listen. The organisation also runs special projects like birthday celebrations, holiday gift deliveries, and intergenerational workshops that connect children and seniors.
How the Brigades Work
The core of Les Brigades du Bonheur is its network of trained volunteers. Anyone over 18 can apply, and after a screening process and a half-day training session on communication, hygiene protocols, and emotional boundaries, volunteers are assigned to a hospital or care home. They commit to at least one two-hour visit per week for six months. Currently, the organisation has about 120 active volunteers, and they serve approximately 1,500 patients per year.
Each hospital partnership is formalised through a convention that defines the scope of activities, insurance coverage, and contact persons. The Brigades work closely with hospital staff to identify patients who would benefit most from visits—those without regular family visitors, children in isolation rooms, or seniors showing signs of depression. Volunteers are never left alone with patients; a nurse or social worker is always nearby.
The cost to run the programme is modest but not negligible. The annual budget of approximately €45,000 covers training materials, small gifts for patients (like colouring books, puzzles, or toiletries), transportation reimbursements for volunteers, and a part-time coordinator salary. Funding comes from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (including Delhaize and Proximus), and grants from the Fondation Roi Baudouin.
Impact on Hospitalised Children
Children in hospital face not only physical pain but also boredom, fear, and loneliness. Les Brigades du Bonheur addresses this by offering a menu of activities. In the paediatric ward at Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola (HUDERF) in Laeken, volunteers run a weekly “clown workshop” where children learn juggling and face painting. At Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, they organise storytelling sessions every Wednesday afternoon.
One of the most popular programmes is “Mon Anniversaire à l’Hôpital” (My Birthday in Hospital). When a child must spend their birthday in hospital, a volunteer brings a small cake, a candle, a handmade card, and a gift worth about €10—often a book or a craft kit. In 2023, the Brigades celebrated 89 such birthdays. Parents frequently report that these moments lift the child’s spirits and even improve their cooperation with medical staff.
A study conducted in 2022 by the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in collaboration with Les Brigades du Bonheur found that children who received regular visits showed a 25% reduction in self-reported anxiety scores (measured using the Child Fear Scale) compared to a control group. The study also noted that parents felt less stressed, knowing their child had positive company.
Bringing Joy to Seniors at Home and in Care Homes
Isolation among the elderly is a growing problem in Brussels. According to the Brussels-Capital Region's 2023 social barometer, 18% of residents over 75 live alone, and many rarely leave their homes. Les Brigades du Bonheur runs a “Home Visits” programme that pairs volunteers with seniors in the municipalities of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Saint-Gilles, and Etterbeek. Volunteers visit once a week for one to two hours. They might help with small tasks like reading mail, but the primary goal is companionship.
In care homes such as Résidence Les Tilleuls in Schaerbeek and Home Saint-Joseph in Ixelles, the Brigades organise intergenerational activities. For example, a “Memory Café” brings together children from a local school and residents to share stories, play simple games, and have tea. These sessions are held monthly and cost about €2 per participant for ingredients. The feedback from care home staff is overwhelmingly positive: residents become more alert, smile more, and engage in conversations.
One particularly touching initiative is “Les Mots du Cœur” (Words from the Heart). Volunteers help seniors write letters or record voice messages for their loved ones. Since 2021, over 400 messages have been delivered. This service is especially valued during the holiday season, when many families cannot visit.
How to Get Involved
Les Brigades du Bonheur welcomes new volunteers year-round. The application process begins with an online form on their official website. After a brief interview, candidates attend a training session held every two months at the Maison de la Solidarité in Molenbeek. The training costs €15 to cover materials, but this fee is waived for those with limited income. Volunteers must provide a criminal record extract (free of charge from the local commune).
For those who cannot commit to regular visits, there are other ways to support. The Brigades run a “Don de Joie” (Gift of Joy) campaign each December, collecting new toys, books, and toiletries. In 2023, they distributed 1,200 gift bags to patients across partner institutions. Donations can be dropped off at collection points in Delhaize supermarkets in Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. Financial donations are also welcome via the organisation's bank account (BE68 0000 0000 0000) or through the Fondation Roi Baudouin website.
If you are interested in similar community support, explore these related opportunities: volunteering at a soup kitchen, becoming a buddy for an elderly person, or joining a local repair café.
Partnerships and Expansion
Les Brigades du Bonheur has grown through partnerships with hospitals, pharmacies, and community centres. In 2023, they signed a three-year agreement with the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Brugmann to extend services to its psychiatric unit. They also collaborate with the Brussels-Capital Region's “Plan de Cohésion Sociale” to reach seniors in underserved neighbourhoods. A notable partner is Les Petits Riens, which donates clothing and small household items for patients in need.
The organisation is exploring a pilot programme in Anderlecht focused on teenagers in long-term hospitalisation. This would involve more structured activities like tutoring and art therapy. Funding for the pilot (€12,000) has been secured from the Loterie Nationale. If successful, the model could be replicated in other hospitals.
Challenges and Future Goals
Like many volunteer organisations, Les Brigades du Bonheur faces challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers. The emotional toll of visiting sick children and isolated seniors can be high. The organisation addresses this through monthly support groups led by a psychologist, held at the Espace Solidarité in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. These sessions are free and open to all volunteers.
Another challenge is funding. While the current budget covers basic operations, the Brigades would like to hire a second part-time coordinator to expand the home visits programme. They estimate an additional €25,000 per year would allow them to serve 200 more seniors annually. Corporate sponsors are being sought, and a crowdfunding campaign is planned for late 2024.
Looking ahead, the Brigades aim to establish a “mobile brigade” that can visit patients in their own homes across the entire Brussels region, not just the current three municipalities. This would require a dedicated vehicle and more volunteers. They also hope to develop a digital platform where families can request a visit for a loved one.