History

Since our founding, we have been supporting children, adolescents, and young adults with life-shortening illnesses and their families. Sternenbrücke stands for joie de vivre, security, and professional support—discover our milestones here.

Construction & opening Family & grief work Education Quality of life 20 years of Sternenbrücke Further development

Construction & opening

In 1999, the vision of a children's hospice in Hamburg was born with the founding of the Sternenbrücke e.V. children's hospice friends' association. Committed individuals campaigned for a place that would offer comfort to families with children suffering from life-shortening illnesses. In 2003, Sternenbrücke began its work – a place full of life and compassion and a significant milestone in our history.

1999 – Founding of the Friends' Association

Together with pediatric nurse Reinhild Pohl, affected mother Christine Oelckers, and grief counselor Uwe Sanneck, Ute Nerge and Peer Gent founded the Sternenbrücke Children's Hospice Friends' Association on December 1. Dr. Isabella Vértes-Schütter and Annegrethe Stoltenberg serve as patrons.

Six people standing together outdoors, smiling, with buildings and a cloudy sky in the background.

A large, traditional house with a sloped roof surrounded by lush greenery and trees under a clear blue sky. People are walking on the lawn.

2001 – A home for Sternenbrücke

A suitable house with a large garden and good transport links is found in Rissen. On May 18, the lease for the villa at Sandmoorweg 62 is signed.

A group of people outdoors examining a document together, with greenery in the background.

2002 – Funding from federal funds

Federal Health Minister Ulla Schmidt visits Sternenbrücke. €1.64 million for the renovation – an important step towards the opening of the children's hospice.

Children cut a red ribbon at an outdoor ceremony, surrounded by adults and potted plants, with a crowd watching in the background.

2003 – Official opening

On May 17, the Sternenbrücke is officially opened. Around 2,000 visitors attend the first open house in the afternoon, which has been held annually on May 1 ever since.

Focus on family & grief work

At Sternenbrücke, we place great importance on holistic support. In addition to medical and nursing care, we focus on individualized therapies tailored to children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Our goal is to improve quality of life and provide support at every stage.

A man supports a child in a swimsuit as they float together in an indoor pool, surrounded by colorful aquatic-themed walls.

2004 – Therapy bath

The completion of a special bath for relaxation and pain therapy marks an important step forward in our therapeutic offerings. It provides a protected space for well-being and targeted support.

A serene garden with circular stone pathways, lush greenery, blooming flowers, and a central spherical sculpture under a partly cloudy sky.

2005 – Garden of Remembrance

This special garden is intended to provide families with a space for mourning and remembrance. Here, families can say goodbye and commemorate their loved ones. Every year, a “Day of Remembrance” is held to collectively commemorate the deceased children together.

A woman wearing glasses and a striped shirt sculpts a large, abstract stone piece in a bright room with a window in the background.

2006 – Stone workshop

The stone workshop offers parents a creative space for grief work. Here, they can create lasting memories by working with and designing stones. This process helps families find their own personal way of dealing with their grief.

A smiling woman assists a young man with a rope in a brightly lit room, both appearing engaged and happy.

2010 – Youth hospice

Sternenbrücke is expanding its services for young adults up to the age of 27. This is an important milestone in hospice work, as it closes a gap in care and offers specific support to young people in this phase of life.

Education & unforgettable moments

Sternenbrücke is more than just a place of care—it is also a place for education and unforgettable experiences. We create spaces for exchange and learning, both for our families and for professionals. At the same time, we enjoy special moments that bring joy and vitality to everyday life.

2011 – Academy

The Sternenbrücke Children's Hospice Academy opens on January 20. It offers continuing education and training for medical professionals and specialists from other fields, volunteers, and affected families.

A woman gives a presentation to an audience in a bright room with yellow walls. A projector screen displays content in the background.

A stuffed teddy bear in blue striped overalls with a red heart lies on a baby crib with a white and blue animal-patterned sheet under a sheer canopy.

2012 – A birth in Sternenbrücke

A special moment: A mother asks for help because her daughter's end of life coincides with the due date of her second child. We experience a birth at Sternenbrücke.

A woman speaks at a podium with a microphone, while four people stand attentively near a display board in an elegant room.

2013 – 10th anniversary

Sternenbrücke is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will be honored for its commitment at Hamburg City Hall. A reason to celebrate and give thanks to everyone who has accompanied us on this journey.

Outdoor wedding ceremony with a couple seated at a table, guests watching, and a large house in the background surrounded by trees.

2015 – Wedding at Sternenbrücke

On August 5, a Berlin family celebrated their wedding in the garden of Sternenbrücke – together with their daughter and their seriously ill son, who was able to attend thanks to the nursing staff.

A garden at dusk with numerous red lanterns illuminating pathways, surrounded by trees and a statue of an angel in the background.

2015 – Expansion of the Garden of Remembrance

The Garden of Remembrance is being expanded to create even more space for mourning and remembrance. An important step in the grieving process.

Quality of life

Sternenbrücke is committed to improving the quality of life of children, adolescents, and young adults with life-shortening illnesses, as well as their families. Through innovative approaches and the continuous development of our services, we create spaces for joy, relaxation, and individual development.

2016 – Log cabin

The log cabin will be officially opened on May 1. It is a retreat for our young guests. The disabled-friendly facilities enable them to enjoy wonderful moments. Here they can spend time with like-minded people, play, and exchange ideas.

A cozy wooden cabin with a green roof nestled in a lush forest setting, surrounded by trees and greenery.

A person in a Marvel shirt plays with a game controller, sitting in front of a tablet. A colorful planet painting is in the background.

2017 – Youth room and playground

In 2017, a new, disabled-friendly playground will be built for the little ones. Teenagers and young adults will get their own recreation room.

Three people joyfully play a large outdoor xylophone. A child in a wheelchair laughs while two adults smile, surrounded by greenery.

2019 – Sound Garden

The sound garden is being opened as a complementary offering to music therapy. It is a soothing element for children. Music and sounds offer the opportunity for relaxation and sensory stimulation.

A lush garden scene with vibrant flowers, a wooden bench, a lamp post, and two small black buildings under a bright blue sky.

2020 – Free Garden

The outdoor playground offers children with a strong urge to move around the opportunity to move freely, develop their motor skills, and experience nature.

20 years of Sternenbrücke

Two decades of dedication to children, teenagers and young adults with life-shortening illnesses. We look back on the past years with gratitude and look forward to many more in which we can continue to weave the fabric of life.

Group of people, including children in wheelchairs and adults, with colorful balloons and a large "20" balloon, celebrating a birthday.

Woman and child leaning on pool edge, woman holding a toy, both smiling. Greenery in the background.

2023 – Corporate mission statement

We are developing a corporate mission statement that summarises our values, visions and goals. This mission statement serves as a compass for our daily work. It strengthens our identity and shows what we stand for.

A person in a wheelchair pets a white dog while another person kneels beside them on grass, with trees and a building in the background.

2023 – Animal-assisted intervention

Sternenbrücke introduces animal-assisted intervention. Contact with animals can have a positive effect on the well-being of our young guests and their families. It promotes relaxation and joy, offers new ways of communicating and thus creates special moments.

A caregiver in blue assists a person in a wheelchair, while another woman watches, in a warmly lit room with a window in the background.

Since 2023, the ‘Komet-Offers’ have been enriching Sternenbrücke: employees contribute their personal strengths – from herbal medicine to singing bowl and Shiatsu massages to aromatherapy, medi-taping and yoga. This creates valuable impulses for the well-being of our guests, their families and also the team.

Further development

Sternenbrücke is constantly evolving in order to best meet the needs of families in the future. In 2024, we set an important course for this.

2024 – New paths

Christiane Schüddekopf, who has been part of our team since the beginning, has been appointed to the board of directors and management. Together with Peer Gent and Sonja Albers, she is deeply committed to continuing the work of Sternenbrücke in the interests of the families affected.

Three people smiling outdoors, with trees and shrubs in the background. The group includes two women and one man, all wearing business attire.

A woman with blonde hair sits in a wicker chair, wearing a gray jacket and name badge, in a room with a window and decorative items.

2024 – Psychological family support

Since the middle of the year, Sternenbrücke has been offering psychological family support. Kira Kleinpoppen, systemic family therapist and psychologist, complements our team and provides sensitive support to families during their stays.

A woman and two children are playing with shovels on a sandy playground. In the background are a wheelbarrow and swings. The area is surrounded by trees.

2024 – New construction project

In 2024, we also made an important decision: Sternenbrücke will expand. With a new building, we want to expand our support network. The new building will be tailored to the needs of our guests and their families and create even more space for encounters, community, and independence.

Giving hope together

Every donation helps us support families in difficult times. Discover the different ways you can support us.

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A young man in a red polo shirt and a small child in a wheelchair are blowing soap bubbles together. Several bubbles float in the air around them.

Our mission

Strengthening the bond of life together: Our mission is to accompany children with life-shortening illnesses and their families with love, care, and support.