Lebenshilfe Witten

What Lebenshilfe Witten does

Lebenshilfe Witten e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1960 as a parent initiative in Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It delivers a comprehensive lifespan portfolio of disability services spanning early intervention (Frühförderstelle), autism therapy, four kindergartens, family support, school accompaniment, residential communities, ambulatory supported living, ambulatory nursing, sheltered employment (WfbM) with vocational training, mental-health vocational services, leisure programs, and a dedicated Office for Easy Language (Leichte Sprache). The organization also operates a contracted services division providing assembly, packaging, carpentry, gardening, landscaping, transport/logistics, vehicle care, and document digitization to local businesses and public institutions.

The organization employs a workforce that includes approximately 270 people with disabilities in the workshop division, and operates through 18+ physical locations across Witten via the parent association and three wholly-owned subsidiaries (SoVD-Lebenshilfe gGmbH, ALW gGmbH, FliWi gGmbH). Technology use is limited to accessibility tools (ReadSpeaker, Leichte Sprache content), Matomo web analytics, and standard video/social platforms; no proprietary technology stack is disclosed.

Revenue is generated primarily through regulated German social law funding (SGB IX, SGB XI), including disability assistance (Eingliederungshilfe), personal budgets (Persönliches Budget), and health insurance reimbursements. Secondary revenue streams include commercial workshop contracts with local companies, charitable foundation grants (Stiftung Wohlfahrtspflege NRW, Aktion Mensch), and local sponsorships (Stadtwerke Witten). The organization is a member of Bundesvereinigung Lebenshilfe and Paritätischer NRW. Managing Director Friederike Groß-Böcker departed on 30 November 2024.

Name

Lebenshilfe Witten

Legal name

Lebenshilfe Witten e.V.

Website

https://lebenshilfe-witten.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lebenshilfe Witten e.V. is a Witten-based German non-profit founded in 1960 that delivers integrated disability services across the lifespan — early intervention, autism therapy, four kindergartens, residential and supported living, sheltered employment, and family support — funded primarily through SGB IX/SGB XI government programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services and Support

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Autism Spectrum (ASD) Academic & Social-Communication Support Tutoring (EDANAFAD), Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Early childhood intervention
• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Supported independent living
• Inclusive childcare services

Headquarters

HQ city

Witten

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Social Services Funding: Primary revenue comes from government-funded social services under German social law (SGB IX, SGB XI), including payments from disability assistance programs, personal budgets, and health insurance for care services.
2. Contract Manufacturing Services: Workshop services for businesses (assembly, packaging, carpentry, gardening, document digitization, vehicle care) generate revenue through commercial contracts with local companies and public institutions.
3. Donations and Grants: The organization receives funding from charitable foundations (Stiftung Wohlfahrtspflege NRW, Aktion Mensch) and local sponsors (Stadtwerke Witten) for specific projects and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lebenshilfe Witten e.V. is a non-profit association that provides integrated disability services across the life span for people with intellectual, multiple, and psychological impairments in Witten, Germany. Its core offering encompasses early intervention, autism therapy, four inclusive kindergartens, school accompaniment, family support, residential communities, ambulatory supported living, ambulatory nursing, vocational workshops, sheltered employment, and leisure programs, complemented by contract manufacturing and service offerings for local businesses and public institutions.

Product overview

Lebenshilfe Witten e.V. is a non-profit social services organization founded in 1960 as a parent initiative, providing a comprehensive portfolio of integrated services for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities. The organization operates as a multi-service provider with distinct divisions spanning family support (early intervention, autism therapy, four kindergarten facilities, school accompaniment, family support), residential services (shared living communities, ambulatory supported living, ambulatory nursing), employment and vocational services (workshop for disabled people, vocational training, department for people with mental health conditions), leisure services (family support service, leisure club), and business services for companies (assembly/packaging, carpentry, gardening, landscape maintenance, transport/logistics, vehicle care, document digitization). The organization also maintains a dedicated Office for Easy Language (Leichte Sprache) to ensure accessibility. Services are delivered through the association and its affiliated companies: SoVD-Lebenshilfe gGmbH, ALW gGmbH, and FLiWi gGmbH.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Frühförderstelle (Early Intervention Center) Early intervention services for infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities, providing therapy and developmental support from an early age. Targeted at families of children with identified or suspected developmental needs.
• Zentrum für Autismustherapie (Autism Therapy Center) Specialized therapy and support services for children and individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Targeted at children with ASD and their families in the Witten region.
• Kindertageseinrichtungen (Kitas) — Kita Helenenberg, Kita Blumenwiese, Kita Schatzkiste, Kita Wannen Four inclusive kindergarten facilities providing early childhood education and care, including one (Kita Wannen) that also operates as a Familienzentrum (family center). Targeted at families, including those with children with disabilities, in Witten.
• Familienzentrum (Family Center) Family support center providing resources, counseling, and community services for families, including those caring for members with disabilities. Targeted at families in Witten.
• Schulbegleitung (School Accompaniment) Support service helping children with disabilities attend and participate in regular school settings. Targeted at school-age children with disabilities and their families in Witten.
• Heilpädagogische Familienhilfe (HPFH) (Heilpädagogical Family Support) Specialized heilpädagogical support assistance to families with disabled members in their home environment. Targeted at families requiring therapeutic, educational support for a family member with disabilities.
• Wohngemeinschaften (Residential Communities) — Wohngemeinschaft Dortmunder Straße, Wohngemeinschaft Pferdebachstraße, Wohngemeinschaft Sonnenschein Shared living arrangements providing group housing for adults with disabilities in community settings, including 24-hour support. Targeted at adults with intellectual or multiple disabilities requiring residential care.
• Ambulant Betreutes Wohnen (Ambulatory Supported Living) Independent living support helping people with disabilities live autonomously in their own homes while receiving necessary assistance. Targeted at adults with disabilities who can live semi-independently.
• Ambulanter Pflegedienst (Ambulatory Nursing Service) Home-based nursing and personal care services for individuals requiring medical or personal assistance. Targeted at people with disabilities or care needs living at home.
• Werkstatt für behinderte Menschen (WfbM) — Hauptwerkstatt (Workshop for Disabled People) Vocational workshop providing employment, vocational training, and meaningful work activities for people with disabilities, including a professional training department (Berufsbildungsbereich). Targeted at working-age adults with intellectual, multiple, or psychological impairments.
• Abteilung für Menschen mit psychischen Beeinträchtigungen / Industrie-Dienstleistungen (IDL) (Department for People with Mental Impairments) Specialized work department providing employment, vocational qualification, and psychosocial support services for individuals with mental health conditions. Targeted at adults with psychological impairments seeking meaningful employment.
• Familienunterstützender Dienst (FuD) (Family Support Service) Respite and support service assisting families caring for members with disabilities, including organized leisure activities and vacation support. Targeted at families of people with disabilities in Witten.
• Freizeitclub (FCL) (Leisure Club) Organized leisure and recreational activities club offering social programs for adults with disabilities. Targeted at adult members with disabilities in the Witten region.
• Montage und Verpackungsarbeit (Assembly and Packaging Services) Contract manufacturing services providing assembly and packaging work performed by workshop employees with disabilities. Targeted at local companies seeking outsourced production services.
• Schreinerei (Carpentry) Woodworking and carpentry services including custom furniture production, woodworking, and restoration work performed by trained workshop employees. Targeted at businesses and public institutions (e.g., Stadt Hattingen refurbishment project).
• Gärtnerei und Garten- und Landschaftspflege (Garden Center and Landscape Maintenance) Horticultural services including plant cultivation, garden maintenance, and landscaping services for commercial clients. Targeted at businesses and public institutions requiring grounds care.
• Transport/Logistik (Transport/Logistics) Transportation and logistics services including delivery and hauling operations. Targeted at local businesses and public institutions needing transport support.
• KFZ-Pflegeservice (Vehicle Care Service) Vehicle cleaning, washing, and detailing services for businesses and fleet operators. Targeted at companies and public institutions with vehicle fleets.
• Aktendigitalisierung (Document Digitization) Document scanning and digitization services converting paper records into digital formats. Targeted at businesses and public institutions undertaking records digitization.
• Büro für Leichte Sprache (Office for Easy Language) Specialized service producing Easy Language (Leichte Sprache) translations and materials to make information accessible for people with cognitive disabilities. Targeted at organizations needing accessible information products.
• Freiwilligendienst (Volunteer Service) Volunteer programs providing structured opportunities for community members to support people with disabilities. Targeted at individuals seeking volunteer engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 270 people with disabilities employed in workshop services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Paritätischer NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLebenshilfe Witten is a member of the Paritätischer NRW (Parity Association NRW), one of the largest welfare associations in Germany, providing advocacy, support, and network benefits.
• Bundesvereinigung LebenshilfecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal association providing advocacy, guidelines, and regional conference organization. Lebenshilfe Witten hosted the 2024 Regionalkonferenz with approximately 60 guests from across Germany.
• Universität Witten/HerdeckeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal university partnership for inclusive events. Lebenshilfe Witten participated in the university's inclusion day and christmas celebration.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Deutscher Caritasverband: Germany's largest welfare association providing social services including disability support, residential care, family services, and vocational rehabilitation — directly overlapping with Lebenshilfe Witten's service portfolio under analogous SGB funding frameworks.
• Stiftung Bethel: One of Germany's largest diakonie-affiliated disability service operators, running residential communities, sheltered workshops, and educational programs for people with intellectual disabilities at national scale — a comparable integrated-services nonprofit with much greater geographic reach.
• Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband NRW: The Paritätische NRW is the umbrella welfare association to which Lebenshilfe Witten belongs; it coordinates and represents member organizations providing disability, family, and social services across North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Bundesvereinigung Lebenshilfe: Federal umbrella association of Germany's Lebenshilfe movement. Lebenshilfe Witten is a member and host of the 2024 Regionalkonferenz; the federal body provides advocacy, standards, and network coordination across all local Lebenshilfe chapters.
• Diakonie Deutschland: One of Germany's largest welfare umbrella organizations operating disability services, residential care, and social assistance programs comparable in scope and funding model to Lebenshilfe Witten, particularly through its Werkstätten and Eingliederungshilfe offerings.
• AWO Bundesverband: Major German welfare association operating comparable services including disability services, residential care, family support, and vocational workshops — a peer at both the federal and regional NRW level where Lebenshilfe Witten operates.

Emerging players

• Berufsförderungswerk (BFW) providers (e.g., BFW Köln): Vocational rehabilitation and training providers serving people with disabilities through SGB IX funding, comparable to Lebenshilfe Witten's WfbM and Berufsbildungsbereich. BFW providers focus more on transition-to-market employment while Lebenshilfe Witten combines sheltered and supported employment.

Direct peers

• Lebenshilfe Bochum: Adjacent Lebenshilfe chapter operating in the same NRW welfare region (Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis/Ruhr) with the same federal association membership, providing early intervention, autism services, residential care, and sheltered workshops — a near-clone peer of Lebenshilfe Witten.
• Lebenshilfe Gelsenkirchen: Neighboring regional Lebenshilfe chapter in the Ruhr area offering an essentially identical service portfolio (WfbM, residential, early intervention, Kitas, family support) to families with intellectual disabilities — the closest direct comparable to Lebenshilfe Witten.

Regional players

• Stiftung ICP München: Munich-based foundation offering integrated disability services (kindergarten, school, residential, vocational) comparable to Lebenshilfe Witten's lifespan model — a strong regional peer operating in Bavaria rather than NRW.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lebenshilfe-witten

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Lebenshilfe Witten