Heat and help sought at railway mission - Numbers rising - Heat and help sought at railway mission - Numbers rising
Germany’s Bahnhofsmission centres are seeing a sharp increase in people seeking help. This year alone, around 200,000 individuals in Lower Saxony and Bremen have turned to them for support—nearly 20,000 more than in 2024. Rising poverty, homelessness, and social isolation are pushing more people toward these vital services.
The surge in demand is linked to economic struggles, with many facing higher living costs and fewer affordable housing options. In Bremen, the situation has worsened significantly, according to Marieke Grupe, head of the local Bahnhofsmission. She notes that homelessness and poverty have climbed due to ongoing economic crises.
Volunteers at these stations offer a range of assistance, from helping passengers with mobility issues to providing quiet spaces for those in distress. Some centres now run programs to tackle loneliness, such as conversation circles, which have grown in popularity. Others assist with travel planning, especially for those struggling with digital ticketing systems.
Food support has also become more critical, with many relying on Bahnhofsmission services to get through weekends. A recent case involved a young woman fleeing domestic violence who sought refuge at the Bremen branch—incidents like this are no longer uncommon.
With Christmas approaching, centres are preparing for even higher demand. Many will expand their services to support vulnerable individuals during the holiday period.
The number of people needing help from Bahnhofsmission is expected to keep rising in 2026. Centres are already adapting by offering more food aid, travel assistance, and loneliness programs. The growing pressure highlights the wider challenges of poverty and social isolation across the region.
