Get notified about new job postings
Sign up for free.
HerzCaspar e.V. is a dedicated association that gives young people with serious illnesses lightness, courage and connection through volunteer buddies and combats social isolation. Founded in 2017 by the family and friends of Caspar, who died in 2014 at the age of 20 from rejection symptoms, the association continues to live its vision: to make hospital stays more colorful, cheerful and worth living.[2][3][5]
The core offering is the HerzCaspar Buddy Program, launched in 2019 at the Kinder-UKE in Hamburg. Volunteer buddies aged 18–35 regularly visit patients in partner clinics. They create moments of happiness through playful and creative activities such as games, movie nights, crafts, baking or deep conversations at eye level. Group meetings promote exchange, new friendships and normality in everyday hospital life – against boredom, loneliness and frustration.[4][5][6]
Buddies are currently active in four partner clinics: in Hamburg, Gießen, Bielefeld and Berlin. So far there have been over 2,750 encounters with around 80 active volunteers. The program not only relieves patients, but also their relatives by strengthening social connections.[2][4][6]
The mission is: Young people – children, adolescents and young adults – should experience lightness, courage and connection despite serious illness. The association closes gaps in care in clinics and rehabilitation facilities, where isolation threatens due to long stays. Values such as togetherness, joy and normality are at the center: "You are not alone" is the message.[2][3][4][5]
The volunteer board drives this forward. Fernanda Gräfin Wolff Metternich, 1st Chairwoman and founder, leads the strategic development. Co-chairpersons such as Charlotte Hasenkamp (Organizational Development & HR), Johann-Justus Hasenkamp, Laurian Joneleit and Diandra Kownatzki ensure growth and networking.[2][3]
Sustainability is a core principle:
In the long term, HerzCaspar aims for a nationwide presence to make everyday hospital life more cheerful everywhere. Donations flow directly into training courses, special events such as summer festivals or Christmas campaigns and materials for encounters.[4][5][7]
Since its founding, HerzCaspar has developed rapidly: From the idea in 2017 to an established program with measurable success. Nominations such as for the German Engagement Award underline the impact.[5] The association combines commitment with professionalism – for a future in which no young patient remains lonely.
HerzCaspar proves: Real changes arise with heart and dedication. Through partnerships with clinics and companies, the influence grows, always with a focus on sustainable, human support.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
(Total length: approx. 2480 characters incl. spaces)
