Mark article
Security for young people in Bremen
Friday evening 8 p.m. in Hemelingen: The Night walkers Bremen meet for a briefing. What’s up this evening? Where are there festivals or events in Bremen to which numerous young people are on their way? Where do you want to go in order to support as many young people as possible until around 2 a.m.?
Once these questions have been answered, they put on their jackets and red vests with the inscription “Nachtwanderer” on them, stow information cards and a first-aid kit in a backpack and set off – four of them at a time. “We’re staying together for safety reasons,” night hiker Birgit Benke explains. “If there is a tricky situation, two of us step in and try to settle the dispute or take other action. The other two stay in the background to call for help if necessary.”
The nocturnal walkers seek out places where young people often hang out. “Usually these are rather dark corners or playgrounds. We talk to them there and tell them about our offer of help,” says Benke. During their tours, it often happens that young people pour out their hearts to them. When the evening comes to an end, the night walkers are also on the road in buses and trains, accompanying the young people back to their districts.
Young people appreciate what night hikers have to offer
The night walkers have had many good experiences. “The young people appreciate our commitment and confide in us,” reports Benke. For example, they once accompanied a 13-year-old to his home after the Freimarkt. He had missed his bus and was very concerned that his parents might be angry with him. “In the end, however, everyone was happy and grateful that he arrived home safely,” says Benke with a laugh. She started volunteering when her own children were going through puberty and started moving around the houses themselves.
Another time, the night walkers helped a group of youngsters whose friend had collapsed on a flight of stairs while drunk. The volunteers were there. They supported the boy and, with the help of acquaintances, informed the parents and waited until he was picked up. “Young people are often overwhelmed in such situations,” emphasizes the night hiker. It is then positive that the volunteers give the young people a certain sense of security. “The young people know how to turn to us and do not feel controlled,” says the experienced guide.
Good preparation is half the battle
Anyone who volunteers as a night hiker is prepared for various situations beforehand. Every year at the beginning of the season in March, the organization offers its volunteers de-escalation and first aid courses. This weekend they play through different circumstances. In role-playing games, the volunteers learn how to react correctly in order to be prepared for emergencies.
Incidentally, the idea for the project came from Sweden. There have been night walkers there for around 30 years, who roam the streets in the evening to help young people. There are now up to 200,000 volunteers in 300 locations in the Scandinavian country. This initiative is also gaining ground in Germany. There are groups like the one around Benke in Bremen from Schleswig to Aalen to Metzingen.
The Swede Lasse Berger founded the self-help group in Bremen-Nord around 20 years ago, which now has around 20 volunteers. “Unfortunately, the number of volunteers in all parts of the city is currently declining,” says Birgit Benke, who has been involved from the start. “We are desperately looking for reinforcements and are happy about everyone who wants to help. If there are parents who would like to accompany their young children and their circle of friends at night, they are very welcome to join us,” says the night walker. Bremen-Nord is already well positioned, but the project is urgently looking for young night hikers in the west, east and in Huchting.
Much more information can be found at the website of the night hikers in Bremen and the Website of the night walkers-Hemelingen. Anyone who would like to become active themselves and join the night hikers is welcome to contact Birgit Benke on mobile number 0160/8 42 99 56.
- On April 15, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be a closed meeting of the Bremen post-hiker groups in the Lesum local office (upper row 2). The central topic will be the reorganization of the night walkers.
- There will be regular meetings in East Bremen from May 2023. All interested parties from Hemelingen, Vahr and Osterholz then meet every second Thursday of the month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the premises of the district marketing Hemelingen at Godehard Straße 3 (opposite the Hemelingen community center).
