Lebenshilfe Ostholstein

What Lebenshilfe Ostholstein does

Lebenshilfe Ostholstein e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1967 in Bad Schwartau, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, serving families and individuals with disabilities across the Ostholstein district. The organization operates an integrated multi-service platform combining four inclusive Kindertagesstätten (Kitas Papenmoor, Langenfelde, Mittenmang, Eutiner Straße), a Therapiezentrum (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Interdisziplinäre Frühförderung), a Familienzentrum mit den Früchen Hilfen, the Familienunterstützender Dienst (FuD), the ESF Plus-funded ElternChanceN program, school accompaniment (Schulbegleitung), all-day school programs, school social work, transport services (Fahrdienst), the Förderzentrum Schule am Papenmoor, integration work for refugees, and the Treffpunkt Ehrenamt volunteer program. Service delivery is direct, in-person, and facility-based or home-based, with no digital product distribution.

The organization employs 315 staff and is supported by 204 association members and 123 active volunteers, with operations concentrated in Bad Schwartau and extending across Stockelsdorf, Ratekau, Eutin, Heiligenhafen, Oldenburg in Holstein, and surrounding municipalities. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix including public reimbursements from statutory nursing care insurance (gesetzliche Pflegeversicherung) and other Kostenträger, state funding (Landesmittel) for Kitas, parental fees under Schleswig-Holstein Kita law, BMFSFJ/ESF Plus project grants (ElternChanceN), Aktion Mensch project funding (notably for the 6.7M EUR Kita Papenmoor / Therapiezentrum facility completed in 2024), donations from foundations (Engelbert- und Hertha-Albers-Stiftung, Sparkasse Holstein) and corporate donors (JOHANN BUNTE Bauunternehmung, Lübecker Nachrichten), and membership fees. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on referrals from Jugendamt, schools, health insurers, the website, local press, and municipal partnerships, with the organization as a member of PARITÄTISCHE Schleswig-Holstein. Recent capital deployment — 6.7M EUR for the new Kita Papenmoor facility (2024) and 125,000 EUR for Kita Langenfelde expansion (2021) — alongside the 2024 Familienzentrum relocation indicates an active infrastructure investment cycle. The technology stack is minimal and operational (audatis MANAGER for whistleblower compliance, BITE GmbH for job postings, a YouTube channel for outreach), with no proprietary AI or digital platform.

Name

Lebenshilfe Ostholstein

Legal name

Lebenshilfe Ostholstein e.V.

Website

https://lebenshilfe-ostholstein.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lebenshilfe Ostholstein e.V. is a 1967-founded non-profit association in Bad Schwartau, Germany, operating four inclusive Kindergartens, a Therapiezentrum, family support services, school accompaniment, and refugee integration programs for families and individuals with disabilities across the Ostholstein district.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services and Disability Support

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child Care Services (62441), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG), Family Advocacy, Parent Training & Support Services (EDAJAKAK), Parenting Education for Special Needs & Developmental Differences (EDACALAK), Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Early childhood education
• Family counseling services
• Inclusive kindergarten care
• School accompaniment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bad Schwartau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: The association (e.V.) is funded in part through membership fees. The organization actively recruits new members to support its mission.
2. Donations and charitable contributions: The organization receives donations from individuals, foundations (e.g., Engelbert- und Hertha-Albers-Stiftung, Stiftungen der Sparkasse Holstein), and corporate donors (e.g., JOHANN BUNTE Bauunternehmung, Lübecker Nachrichten/Sparkasse initiative). The organization runs regular fundraising campaigns including Christmas market stalls and specific project appeals.
3. Public funding and reimbursements (Kostenübernahme): Services such as the Familienunterstützender Dienst (FuD) are financed through statutory nursing care insurance (gesetzliche Pflegeversicherung) or alternative cost carriers (Kostenträger). Early intervention, therapy, and Kita services receive public funding (Landesmittel) and parental fees.
4. EU/Government project funding: The ElternChanceN project is funded by the Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) and the European Union through the ESF Plus program. The organization also receives support from Aktion Mensch for construction and therapy center projects.
5. Service charges for Kita and therapy services: Kindertagesstätten charge parental fees according to Schleswig-Holstein Kita law. Therapy services are billed to health insurers and cost bearers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lebenshilfe Ostholstein e.V. operates as a charitable association delivering integrated family support, inclusive early childhood education, pediatric therapy, and school accompaniment services for families and individuals with disabilities across the Ostholstein district of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The organization runs four inclusive kindergartens, a Therapiezentrum with physiotherapy/occupational/speech therapy and interdisciplinary early intervention, school support (Schulbegleitung, Schulsozialarbeit), family centers with early help, the Familienunterstützender Dienst, and the ElternChanceN parent program, all from owned and rented facilities.

Product overview

Lebenshilfe Ostholstein e.V. is a social services organization operating a multi-service platform model centered on family support, early childhood education, and inclusion services. The core offerings include: (1) Family Support Services encompassing the Family Center with Early Help, Family Support Service (FuD), ElternChanceN parent program, and Family Council; (2) Four inclusive Kindergartens (Papenmoor, Langenfelde, Mittenmang, Eutiner Straße) with the new Papenmoor facility housing both kindergarten and Therapy Center; (3) School Support Services including school accompaniment, all-day school programs, and school social work; (4) The Therapy Center with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and interdisciplinary early intervention; (5) Inclusion Services including the Inclusion Advisory Service, Integration Work in Stockelsdorf, and the Volunteer Meeting Point; (6) Voluntary services including FSJ/BFD programs and family sponsorships. The organization serves the Ostholstein district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Familienzentrum mit den Frühen Hilfen: Family center offering counseling and support for pregnant women and parents with children up to school entry age
• Familienunterstützender Dienst (FuD)
• ElternChanceN
• FamilienRat
• Schule am Papenmoor
• Therapiezentrum
• Treffpunkt Ehrenamt

Products and services

• Familienzentrum mit den Frühen Hilfen Family center providing counseling, support, parent-child activities, lectures and workshops for pregnant women and parents with children up to school entry age. Free, voluntary and confidential.
• Familienunterstützender Dienst (FuD) Family support service providing counseling, respite care, home-based care support and family activities for families with care-dependent children or relatives across Kreis Ostholstein. Financed through statutory nursing care insurance or alternative cost carriers.
• ElternChanceN ESF Plus / BMFSFJ-funded program providing advice, educational events and networking for parents of elementary school-age children at three Ostholstein locations. Free and voluntary.
• Familienrat Family council offering self-help support and personal/telephone counseling for families in difficult situations.
• Kindertagesstätte Papenmoor Inclusive kindergarten at Am Kirchhof 4a, Bad Schwartau, with six group rooms (nursery, elementary and mixed-age groups), integrated therapy center and barrier-free outdoor area, for children from birth to school entry. Fees per Schleswig-Holstein Kita law.
• Kindertagesstätte Langenfelde Inclusive kindergarten at Pronsdorfer Straße 10, Bad Schwartau, with nature science projects and JuniorCampus partnership with Technische Hochschule Lübeck. Capacity approximately 70-72 children.
• Kindertagesstätte Mittenmang Inclusive kindergarten at Ludwig-Jahn-Str. 7a, Bad Schwartau, providing education and care for children from birth to school entry.
• Kindertagesstätte Eutiner Straße Inclusive kindergarten at Eutiner Straße, Bad Schwartau, providing education and care for children from birth to school entry. Previously housed the Familienzentrum before its 2024 relocation.
• Schulbegleitung School accompaniment service supporting children with disabilities or at risk of disability at Regelschulen and Förderzentrum Am Hochkamp and Schule am Papenmoor. Includes basic care, communication support and crisis intervention.
• Offene Ganztagsschule Open all-day school program providing afternoon care and supervision for school children.
• Schulsozialarbeit School social work supporting students within the school environment.
• Fahrdienst Transportation service for children with disabilities to and from school.
• Schule am Papenmoor (Förderzentrum für geistige Entwicklung) Special education center at Am Kirchhof 4a, Bad Schwartau, for children with intellectual disabilities, with barrier-free playground including wheelchair carousel.
• Therapiezentrum Therapy center co-located with Kita Papenmoor offering pediatric physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and interdisciplinary early intervention. Billed to health insurers and cost bearers.
• Interdisziplinäre Frühförderungsstelle Interdisciplinary early intervention center providing diagnosis, counseling and support for children up to school entry age with developmental concerns or disabilities.
• Integrationsarbeit Stockelsdorf Coordination office for volunteer engagement with refugees in Bad Schwartau and Stockelsdorf, creating networking opportunities in cooperation with local municipalities.
• Fachberatung Inklusion Inclusion advisory service providing counseling and training on accessibility, supporting municipalities in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and offering continuing education for advisory boards and self-representation groups.
• Treffpunkt Ehrenamt Volunteer meeting point at Lübecker Straße 29, Bad Schwartau, coordinating volunteer engagement including sewing circle, upcycling projects and other activities.
• FSJ / BFD (Voluntary Social Year / Federal Voluntary Service) Voluntary service programs for young people aged 18-25 and citizens wanting to engage in social work.
• Familienpatenschaften Family sponsorship program matching trained volunteers with families needing support, particularly single parents, newborns or families lacking extended family support.
• Babysitterkurs Certified babysitter training course for teenagers aged 15 and older covering baby care, age-appropriate activities, household safety and first aid for childhood emergencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 187 volunteers active even during COVID-19 pandemic — demonstrating resilience and community reach
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PARITÄTISCHE Schleswig-HolsteincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLebenshilfe Ostholstein is a member of the PARITÄTISCHE Schleswig-Holstein, one of the largest welfare associations in Germany. This affiliation provides organizational support, advocacy representation, shared training resources (e.g., e-learning for volunteers), and participation in state-wide campaigns such as 'Klimaschutz & Klimaanpassung' (climate action) and the demonstration 'Soziale Arbeit stärken'. The PARITÄTISCHE SH coordinates collective action on social policy issues.
• Sail United e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Sail United e.V. for inclusive watersport events. Organized a Wassersport-Schnuppertag (watersports taster day) for families with children with disabilities or care needs, held at watersports4all in Großenbrode. Sail United provides sailing expertise and trained staff for accessible water activities.
• watersports4all (Surf- und Segelschule Großenbrode)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWatersports school providing accessible sailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddling experiences. Partnered with Lebenshilfe and Sail United to host an inclusive watersport day for families with disabled children. Specially trained staff ensured accessibility for all participants including wheelchair users.
• EXEO (Verein EXEO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with EXEO for inclusive family raft trips on the River Wakenitz (Hanseflöße). EXEO provides the rafts and experienced skippers; Lebenshilfe provides accompaniment and coordination for participating families.
• Bild + Begegnung e. V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRan a photography project with the Kita Papenmoor 'Clever Club' preschool group titled 'Aussicht auf Landschaft in Bad Schwartau – Kitakinder fotografieren ihre Welt'. Children photographed their local environment, culminating in a short film premiere at Kino MovieStar Bad Schwartau.
• Deutscher Kinderschutzbund (Ortsverband Eutin und Heiligenhafen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in the ElternChanceN project at three locations in Ostholstein (Bad Schwartau/Stockelsdorf, Eutin, Heiligenhafen). The Kinderschutzbund provides qualified Elternbegleiterinnen (parent guides) as part of the ESF Plus-funded program to support parents of elementary school-age children.
• Offener Kanal Schleswig-HolsteinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCooperation with Offener Kanal Schleswig-Holstein for media literacy events ('Medien im Grundschulalter') aimed at parents of elementary school-age children. The Offener Kanal provides expert support and media expertise for parent information evenings organized by ElternChanceN.
• JuniorCampus, Technische Hochschule LübeckminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKita Langenfelde is a network partner of the JuniorCampus TH Lübeck. The JuniorCampus delivers science education programs (MINI-Mitmach-Phänomenia) at the Kita, engaging preschool children in experiments in acoustics, optics, air, and mechanics. The Kita recertifies every two years with scientific project documentation.
• Kommunales Kino Bad Schwartau e.V. (Kino MovieStar)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLebenshilfe Ostholstein has taken on film patronages (Filmpatenschaften) at the Kommunales Kino Bad Schwartau. The organization sponsored and supported screenings of films relevant to its mission (e.g., 'Grüße vom Mars' about a boy with autism, and 'Wann wird es endlich wieder so, wie es nie war?'), raising awareness about disability and inclusion.
• BITE GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExternal job posting platform that publishes Lebenshilfe Ostholstein's job vacancies (Stellenangebote) on the organization's behalf. BITE GmbH hosts and manages the career portal under a data processing agreement.
• Umweltbeirat Bad SchwartauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular cooperation with the environmental advisory committee of Bad Schwartau for sustainability projects at Kita facilities, including planting flower bulbs (400 Narzissen/Krokuszwiebeln) and the tree of the year (Roteiche), and planting two NordMax21 Klimabäume from PARITÄTISCHE SH.
• Kreis Ostholstein (district government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKreis Ostholstein is the primary public sector partner. Lebenshilfe works with the district on school accompaniment (Schulbegleitung), Kita licensing and operation permits, the Aktionsplan Inklusion 2.0, and integration/ refugee support. The district's Stabstelle Sozialplanung (Volker Horn) collaborates on inclusion training programs.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lebenshilfe (Bundesvereinigung): National federation of Lebenshilfe associations, the umbrella organization of which Lebenshilfe Ostholstein is a regional member. Operates as a broad incumbent across Germany advocating for and supporting people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): German Red Cross society running Kitas, family support, disability assistance, and integration programs at regional level. Comparable as a multi-line social and family services non-profit.
• Diakonie Deutschland: Protestant welfare association running Kitas, family support, disability services, and integration work across Germany through regional Diakonische Werke. Closely comparable in integrated family and disability service delivery.
• SOS Kinderdorf: Major German non-profit operating Kinderdorf facilities, family support services, and early intervention programs nationwide. Comparable as a multi-service family and child welfare provider with both residential and community-based offerings.
• Caritas Deutschland: One of Germany's largest welfare confederations operating Kindertagesstätten, family services, Schulbegleitung, and integration programs through regional Caritasverbände. Comparable in scope of social and family services delivered by a charitable non-profit.
• Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO): Major German welfare association operating Kitas, family centers, school social work, and disability support nationwide. Comparable in delivering inclusive childcare and family support via a federated non-profit structure.

Others

• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest social funding organization supporting inclusion, disability, and family services, including the construction of the Lebenshilfe Ostholstein Papenmoor facility. Comparable not as a service peer but as a key funding partner that shapes the ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Deutscher Kinderschutzbund Bundesverband: National non-profit focused on child protection and family support; Lebenshilfe Ostholstein partners with the local Eutin/Heiligenhafen chapter to deliver ElternChanceN parent-counseling services. Directly comparable in family counseling and parent education.
• Fröbel e.V. Non-profit operator of Kitas and family centers across Germany, with focus on inclusive and bilingual early childhood education. Comparable as a non-profit multi-site Kita and family services provider.

Regional players

• PariSozial gGmbH (PARITÄTISCHE Schleswig-Holstein): Regional social services provider operating in Schleswig-Holstein under the PARITÄTISCHE umbrella, delivering family support, child and youth services, and Schulbegleitung. Comparable as a PARITÄTISCHE-affiliated family and disability services provider in the same federal state.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcsNtXCzXqrYKagqI4vg3yw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lebenshilfe-ostholstein

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Lebenshilfe Ostholstein