Bota Bota x Shriners

Each year, during the holiday season, Bota Bota employees volunteer a bit of their time towards several organisations.

Natalie Emond, Client Services Director, often shares that her favorite passengers are those who step out of a massage with a sleepy face, the creases of the sheets still imprinted on their cheeks.

This vision of total relaxation came to life at the Shriners Hospital for Children on a gentle December afternoon, thanks to four massage therapists who volunteered their time to care for the hospital staff.

Catarina De Almeida Vincente, a workplace health and safety nurse since 2021, is tasked with promoting the well-being, health, and safety of the hospital’s employees. For her, this afternoon of massage therapy was an invaluable gift to her colleagues.

“I think it’s important for everyone, everywhere. It gives a little moment of respite, of relaxation… doing it at work, spontaneously, during a short, focused time when the person doesn’t have to go anywhere—it’s a golden opportunity.”

Throughout the four-hour event, hospital staff took turns enjoying massages. From researchers specialized in motion in action (children’s movements) and patient care attendants to administrative agents, occupational therapists, IT specialists, physiotherapists, kitchen staff, educators, technicians, and nurses—a whole array of professionals enjoyed a bit of downtime under the skilled hands of the massage therapists.

One employee discovered the joys of massage therapy for the very first time, while another treated herself to this precious moment on her birthday, celebrated that very day.

The sleepy smiles and tousled hair spoke volumes about the massages given by Ambre, Arianne, Éléonore, and Jean-Paul. Their gentleness seemed to echo in the softly lit rooms provided for their care. While tranquil music wafted from one room, soothing lavender scents drifted from another, giving the Shriners Hospital the feel of a spa for just a few hours…

Photos ©Thibault Carron