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The participation of supported persons is more topical than ever. Official texts are making progress and grassroots action is increasing, but it is not really heard or recognised at its true value or potential. At the level of public policy, the subject is evolving and its implementation needs to be evaluated. In professional practices, it must become automatic and the operations duplicated. Co-training measures relating to the “participation of the people concerned” must become more widespread. Having said that, it is necessary to move beyond its purely collective or external aspect; it is not just for others. We must see the usefulness or benefits that this can bring to the individual who is at a loss in life or in a situation of social exclusion. There are many ways in which this can impact on the individual, and many reasons for his or her participating and staying involved. They can range from finding a reason to get up in the morning to the possibility of regaining confidence in one’s capabilities, including the desire to regain control of one’s life. This “participation” must be understood not just as an act of presence, but rather as something that requires skills in living and allows participants to acquire new ones. We must find ways to make it a possible means of social reintegration.