Aufwind – IRC Deutschland | Deutsche Programme

Description:	The “Aufwind” project supports families in Hanover through individual social counselling, as well as parent courses and group activities that help people connect. At the same time, it promotes professional exchange and raises awareness among staff working in public authorities.
Time period:	1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028
Email:	Aufwind@rescue.org

Approach

Many families face major challenges every day: financial hardship, limited opportunities for participation, and the desire to create positive prospects for their children.The “Aufwind” project addresses these challenges directly by providing social counselling for families in Hanover, supporting them in their interactions with public authorities, and strengthening their trust in public services.

The project also helps families build connections with one another, enabling exchange and mutual support.

In addition, it aims to improve collaboration between different stakeholders, public authorities and advice services in order to provide more targeted and sustainable support for disadvantaged families.

Our services:

Individual advice and support

We provide families with tailored advice on social welfare entitlements, particularly benefits under the SGB II (Book II of the German Social Code: Jobcentre), the SGB VIII (Book VIII of the German Social Code: Child and Youth Welfare), as well as supplementary benefits such as the child supplement and housing benefit. Individual challenges are discussed in personal consultations, and families are signposted to suitable support services.

Parent courses and group activities for networking

In cooperation with family centres, parent courses and peer exchange activities are organised. Topics include educational pathways, media literacy, stress management and dealing with experiences of discrimination. The courses are offered in German as well as other relevant languages of originto make them accessible to as many families as possible. The project also offers a range of changing open activities with childcare.These help reducebarriers and give parents the opportunity to connect with one another, share experiences and learn more about the project.

Open advice services in local neighbourhoods

Regular advice services and drop-in sessions are offered in selected neighbourhoods. This allows us to reach people who have little or no contact with public advice services. The public authorities drop-in service explains the processes and structures within public authorities and makes existing support services for the Families more accessible

Explainer videos on public authority procedures

Multilingual explainer videos provide clear and accessible information on how to submit applications and what steps need to be followed in administrative procedures. They explain complex administrative processes in plain language and help families better understand and exercise their rights and entitlements.

Raising awareness among public authority staff

Workshops for staff working in Jobcentres and local authority services promote a better understanding of the realities and challenges faced by families affected by poverty, including those with migration experience.

The workshops address the specific needs of these families and raise awareness of the challenges that can arise from limited language skills and navigating administrative structures and procedures.

Professional exchange and networking

Regular exchange formats bring together stakeholders from the fields of social counselling, labour market integration, and child and youth welfare to strengthen structural cooperation across different areas of the social welfare system. This includes collaboration between the legal frameworks of the SGB II (Book II of the German Social Code; basic income support for jobseekers) and the SGB VIII (Book VIII of the German Social Code, child and youth welfare).

Aufwind (Upwind)