Social service

If there is one place that deserves the name of a helpline within Communal Administration, it would be the Walferdange social service department.

Monique Ferring and Carole Wesquet take care of the social interests of citizens of Walferdange, and can truly be called “jills of all trades”: they do home visits, give advice, contact various administrations, help with filling out forms and finding spots in retirement homes. They sometimes even babysit!

In the small waiting room, a poinsettia in bloom decorates the tables, the office furniture is in light-colored wood and the chairs feature bright blue and red upholstery. It isn’t just a coincidence that the atmosphere is so pleasant, as explained by Carole Wesquet, social assistant: “People come to us because they have questions or problems, usually to do with money. They have to feel comfortable here.” “Here” is the social service department of the Commune of Walferdange, set up in the new offices of the Walferdange elementary school for a few months now. “The old office was too small,” adds Monique Ferring, who has worked as a social hygiene assistant for several years. Now, she and Carole Wesquet have spacious offices right next to each other, and they have a small archive room, a toilet and a waiting room. Still, the waiting room almost never fills up. “We try to work as discreetly as possible,” Carole explains. In fact, the hallway leading to social services may not be especially pleasant for most people. This is why the shutters are drawn. Usually, both employees give appointments outside of consultation times only by request. If they want, they can also go to citizens’ homes, especially for seniors, the disabled and families with small children.

“I have a wonderful job”

Whether it has to do with looking for a spot in a retirement home, a consultation about legal issues, or if you need help filling in forms or contacting the administration, Monique and Carole help citizens with all things. Those looking for help are people who are in difficult situations due to a divorce, problems with teens, illness, etc. According to Monique, it is usually possible to help people even over the telephone. Many people simply don’t know which authority they need to contact, so giving them information like an address or a telephone number can help them sufficiently. Every day, at their job, they have contact with vastly different people and new requests. “I have a wonderful job,” Carole says. It’s even more wonderful because she has helped so many people over the years, and “over time, close relationships have been formed.” The social assistants also deal with requests for financial aids of all sorts before submitting them for a decision by the Social Office. Since the enacting of the “Law of 18 December 2009 organizing social aid” on 1 January 2011, the Social Office has become a public establishment with its own board of administration and autonomous staff. Every two years, a babysitting course is organized. Details about registration criteria are published in due time in the WALFER BUET and additional information is available with social services. Our two admirable associates have energy to spare.

Consultation hours:

Tuesday from 2:30 to 6:30pm. Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 am

Social service staff