A vision became a house.
What began in 1997 with one course and twelve volunteers today carries hospice and grief work throughout the district of Leer.
- 1997
The first course
With the VHS Leer, Gretel Bluhm-Janssen offers the first training course for volunteer hospice work in the district. There has been one every year since.
- 1999
Founding
On 14 April, 23 people found the Hospiz-Initiative Leer e.V. Twelve volunteers are ready.
- 2005
The foundation
In December the Hospiz-Stiftung Leer is founded. The aim: an inpatient hospice for East Frisia.
- 2007
Groundbreaking
On 19 October the first sod is turned. “Wat’n Bliedskup vandaag!”, calls Gretel Bluhm-Janssen, what a joy today.
- 2009
The hospice house opens
On 22 January the first inpatient hospice in East Frisia opens. Two open days, overwhelming interest.
- 2016
Medal of merit and new building
Gretel Bluhm-Janssen receives the Medal of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Next door a building of our own for outpatient hospice and grief work is built, with plenty of room for children and young people.
- 2018
Palliative nursing
In November we found an outpatient nursing service that provides palliative care for seriously ill people at home.
- 2019
20 years
Almost 150,000 hours given. The suitcase exhibition “My last luggage” asks: what will I take with me?
- 2024
25 years
An anniversary week with a summer party, an open day, mindful movement and a Last Aid course.
“Wes watt Leev, ik bruk egentlich gor nich mehr dood, ik bün ja all in Himmel.”
Gretel Bluhm-Janssen told this story at the 20th anniversary. For her, hospice means four pillars: support at home, the hospice house, grief work and public awareness. So that dying with dignity becomes possible everywhere, not only where there is a hospice.
25 years, 2024
20 years, 2019
