Volunteering

Would you like to volunteer and devote your time to a good cause? At the Sternenbrücke children's hospice in Hamburg, there are many opportunities to get involved with heart and energy. Whether regularly or occasionally, every bit of support is a great help.

An elderly woman wearing a red jacket runs toward a log cabin, holding a young boy wearing a winter jacket by the hand.

Training

To ensure that you are well prepared, we offer a one-week training course once a year as well as three in-depth weekends. Here, our future volunteers not only learn everything they need to know for their role, but also get to know the house and the team.

Requirements for volunteering

The requirements for volunteering are as follows:

The minimum age is 18 years

Submission of a letter of motivation

Participation in a one-week training course

Mental and physical stability

High reliability and flexibility

Possibility of four assignments per month

Membership in the Friends Association

Participation in four team meetings per year

No bereavement in close circle in the last three years

An elderly woman in a red jacket looks lovingly at a little boy in a pram. He is wearing winter clothes.

Membership in the Friends' Association

By becoming a member of the Friends' Association of Sternenbrücke Children's Hospice, you are helping to secure our work for the long term. As part of the association, you will have close ties to Sternenbrücke and will be supporting our guests and their families beyond your voluntary work.

More about the Friends' Association

Fields of activity

Our volunteers are involved in many different areas of our work.

Areas of activity

Our volunteers are involved in many different areas of our work.

Help with care and everyday support

Support of the educational team

Assistance with housekeeping and kitchen duties

Reception and administrative duties

Support for information and campaign stands

Support for events

Takeover of various transport services

Testimonials

I always enjoy the loud and sometimes quiet laughter of the guests and siblings, which shows that they are having a good time here.

I draw my motivation from the knowledge that I am helping people in these difficult situations in life.

The unwavering strength and love of parents never ceases to impress me!

Many things are important in life. People are the most important. Here we find it all together. Understanding, empathy, affection, help.

By reading aloud, playing, doing crafts and going for walks, I can give the children joy and wonderful moments.

The best thing for me is when sick guests laugh heartily. Their joy is so contagious that I float on cloud nine for days afterwards.

It is a great gift for me to spend time with these wonderful guests.

I think it's great that I can give my time to caring for others, always focusing on the wishes and needs of the guests.

It always enriches me to let the day unfold with heartfelt affection and a sense of togetherness.

I am touched by moments when children's laughter fills the room or parents can breathe a sigh of relief – that's when I know why I'm here.

Volunteer flyer

Our flyer provides an overview of the many opportunities for volunteers at Sternenbrücke. It also contains all the important information you need about the requirements, training, and education for volunteering with us.

Download flyer (PDF)

Contact

If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact our volunteer coordinator Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Book Appointment Online

Frequently askedquestions

We are delighted when our volunteers are able to support us on a regular basis – ideally several times per month. Since working with sick children and their families requires particular sensitivity, our volunteers must attend a two-week training course before starting at the hospice. Every helping hand matters. Together, we can make a big difference.

For those people who would like to get involved one a one-time basis, we offer the possibility of a Social Day. There is always plenty of work to do at Sternenbrücke – whether it be taking care of the garden, repairing play equipment or other practical work. There are opportunities for companies, groups or individual persons to actively support us on a weekday (Monday to Friday). Depending on the time of year and number of people involved, there’s a wide range of tasks – every contribution makes a real impact.

here you will find more information about Social Days.

Our volunteers contribute across many areas of the Sternenbrücke children’s hospice and help make it a warmer, more caring place with their dedication. They assist our educational team and help out at the reception desk, with administrative work, in public relations or with housekeeping tasks. However, all medical and nursing tasks are handled solely by our specialists. In any case, the work of our volunteers is a valuable contribution - and an important part of our community.

We welcome every helping hand and are grateful for people who wish to give their time and effort to support Sternenbrücke. Volunteers contribute in many different areas and are a valuable part of our team.

To be a volunteer at the hospice, you should be at least 18 years old and physically healthy. In addition, it is important that you are availabe to help out at Sternenbrücke for half a day each week. Given the emotional nature of dealing with death and grief, potential volunteers should not have experienced the loss of someone close to them within the past three years.

Find additional information on volunteering.

View all FAQs

Would you like to donate directly?

Would you like to help directly? Your donation makes a difference – for our children and families at the Sternenbrücke children's hospice.

Learn more

A woman in blue work clothes holds a little boy steady as he climbs a ladder. Both are smiling.

Would you like to make a donation as a company?

Whether as a one-off supporter or as a long-term partner at our side, your company's commitment to Sternenbrücke means you are taking on social responsibility.