About Us

Family portal for Bremen

As a guide for the city of Bremen, we offer information and advice for all family-related challenges – free of charge, neutral, and independent. And as a specialist agency, we advise, connect, and network everyone who works with families, providing a professional overview.

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About Us

On our family portal familiennetz-bremen.de, we bring together a wide range of local resources from over 1,000 locations in the city of Bremen. This provides guidance and an overview of all important topics related to family life. And we keep you up-to-date with information and news!

Furthermore, we are personally available to help you if you are unsure of what to do next. We offer advice, referrals, and information – acting as your guide in Bremen. With us, you'll learn where and how to access information and support, and who the right contacts are for your specific issue.

We are committed to a family-friendly city – with campaigns, projects and an open ear.

We want to make your everyday family life easier and better.

We make various offers and information related to family life visible.

We provide a clear overview of all family-related topics in the city of Bremen.

The team from the Bremen family network

Asked privately – answered privately: Our multi-professional team provides personal insights.

Anja Lohse
Anja Lohse, as head of the facility, is responsible for (specialized) consulting, strategy, the conception of participatory projects, public relations, and the "Welcome to the Family" folder. She has been with the Bremen Family Network since 2003.
Barbara Peper
Barbara Peper has been responsible for consulting, public relations, social media and online editorial work since 2015.
Karen Bruns
Karen Bruns handles inquiries and calls and is responsible for office management, data maintenance, and assists with the "Welcome to the Family" folder. Karen has been part of our team since 2024.
Bärbel Lankenau
Bärbel Lankenau has been responsible for data maintenance and the organization and logistics of the “Welcome to the Family” folder since 2013.
Heiko Mikutta
Heiko Mikutta has been responsible for database organization, data maintenance, data protection and the Bremen Holiday Compass since 2014.
Charline Kluth
Charline Kluth is studying Public Health at the University of Bremen and is completing her internship at familiennetz bremen until August.
Helin Yelmen
Helin Yelmen is in her fourth semester of sociology studies at the University of Bremen and is completing her internship at familiennetz bremen until the end of September.
Elena Malaschewski
Elena Malaschewski is studying for a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Education at the University of Oldenburg and is completing her internship at familiennetz bremen until the end of September.

Anja Lohse

Head of the institution
Anja Lohse, as head of the facility, is responsible for (specialized) consulting, strategy, the conception of participatory projects, public relations, and the "Welcome to the Family" folder. She has been with the Bremen Family Network since 2003.

2050 – What will family look like?
My wish: everyone will find care work valuable – it will be fairly distributed and done willingly.

Friends with children are coming to Bremen: Which places should they absolutely visit?
That depends on the children's age and interests. But there are so many great places in Bremen, such as the Sportgarten, the Bürgerpark, the Komplette Palette arts center, the children's and youth farms, or the beach at Café Sand.

What three words would you use to describe the Bremen family network?Advocacy for family interests.

Barbara Peper

Consulting, public relations, social media and online editorial work
Barbara Peper has been responsible for consulting, public relations, social media and online editorial work since 2015.

2050 – What will family look like?
My vision: AI-driven parenting presents entirely new challenges for family formation.

Friends with children are coming to Bremen: What places should they definitely visit?
In summer, the Pauliner Marsch, the Kompletten Palette art gallery, and the Werdersee lake are great places for families. If the weather is less pleasant, I would recommend taking them to an exhibition.

What three words would you use to describe the Bremen family network?
Bremen - Google for family people.

Karen Bruns

Karen Bruns handles inquiries and calls and is responsible for office management, data maintenance, and assists with the "Welcome to the Family" folder. Karen has been part of our team since 2024.

2050 – What will family look like?
My idea: Partnership will be the norm in families.

Friends with children are coming to Bremen: What places should they definitely visit?
At Christmastime, a visit to the Bremen Christmas Market and the Schlachtezauber (a Christmas market along the waterfront) is worthwhile. The Bremen Story House in the Schnoor district is recommended for young and old alike.

What three words would you use to describe the Bremen family network?
Appealing, informative, and family-oriented.

Bärbel Lankenau

Bärbel Lankenau has been responsible for data maintenance and the organization and logistics of the “Welcome to the Family” folder since 2013.

2050 – What will family look like?
My option: Whether loud and wild, quiet and attentive, young and old, whether here or everywhere – developments are so rapid, it can only be surprising!

Friends with children are coming to Bremen: Which places should they definitely visit?
They should definitely experience Bremen as a city of "short distances" and explore the opportunities that this offers.

What three words would you use to describe the Bremen family network?
Simply good!

Heiko Mikutta

Heiko Mikutta has been responsible for database organization, data maintenance, data protection and the Bremen Holiday Compass since 2014.

2050 – What will family look like?
My prediction: By then we will have arrived in the Borg Collective, so in a sense, one big family.

Friends with children are coming to Bremen: What places should they definitely visit?
A lot has changed in Bremen's west recently; the Überseestadt district immediately comes to mind. A harbor tour is always a good idea, too. The perspective from the water is fascinating, and the harbor districts are steeped in history.

What three words would you use to describe the Bremen family network?
That's a tough one. "Square, practical, and good" is already taken... oh, I know: It's quite diverse! That fits.

Charline Kluth

Charline Kluth is studying Public Health at the University of Bremen and is completing her internship at familiennetz bremen until August.

2050 – What will family look like?
Family should be where people feel they belong.

Friends with children are coming to Bremen: Which place should they definitely visit?
I would recommend the Schnoor quarter in Bremen, there's plenty to discover there.

What three words would you use to describe the Bremen family network?
Encyclopedia for families

Helin Yelmen

Helin Yelmen is in her fourth semester of sociology studies at the University of Bremen and is completing her internship at familiennetz bremen until the end of September.

2050 – What will family look like?
In 2050, family is diverse and free from fixed roles. What's important is that people support each other.

Friends with children are coming to Bremen: Which place should they definitely visit?
I would recommend Universum Bremen for children and teenagers because learning there is fun.

What three words would you use to describe the Bremen family network?
Diverse, welcoming, supportive

 

Elena Malaschewski

Elena Malaschewski is studying for a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Education at the University of Oldenburg and is completing her internship at familiennetz bremen until the end of September.

2050 – What will family look like?
My prediction: due to demographic change, fewer children will have cousins ​​or siblings, but more children will experience their grandparents or great-grandparents.

Friends with children are coming to Bremen: What places should they definitely visit?
The Bremen City Library offers much more than just media lending. A visit in person or to the website is always worthwhile. 

What three words would you use to describe the Bremen family network?
Networking for family issues.

Internship

Here you'll find our current internship openings as well as reports from our previous interns. Do you have any questions about the internship? Get in touch!

Do your internship at Familiennetz Bremen!
Article: Internship postings

Do your internship at Familiennetz Bremen!
April 25, 2026

We are looking for an intern to support our team from January 2027 onwards, as part of a mandatory internship or a practical semester.

Learn more about "Do your internship at Familiennetz Bremen!"
"The best thing about the internship, however, was the sense of community. I immediately felt comfortable in the office, and the relaxed atmosphere made working really easy. I arrived at a time when Familiennetz Bremen was undergoing a major transformation with the launch of its new website, and yet I still felt welcomed and integrated right away. Above all, even though you're "just" the intern, you're treated as a full-fledged team member – that's very affirming and a really nice feeling overall."
Lea H.
Practical semester in the Religious Studies BA program (2026)
"The opportunity to participate in various working groups and networking meetings was particularly enriching. These events were not only informative, but also gave me insights into topics with which I had previously had little contact. In particular, the topic of 'children of inmates' sparked my interest and broadened my perspective on social challenges."
Nathalie B.
Practical semester in the Sociology BA program (2026)
"It was wonderful to be able to work so independently, as it made me feel trusted and supported. I assisted the team with the organization and implementation of the family education network, which is hosted by familiennetz bremen, and I was involved in the relaunch of the new website. That was very exciting, as I was able to learn about the various processes and steps involved in such a large project."
Karen G.
Practical semester in the sociology studies program (2026)
"As described at the beginning, I had certain expectations for my time at Familiennetz Bremen. Looking back, I can say that my expectations were exceeded! I gained many insights into various areas of family education, was able to work independently and autonomously on my own projects, and now also have a bit more clarity about what I can imagine doing professionally in the future. I am also very grateful that I was able to work with such wonderful people!"
Emma D.
Practical semester in the sociology studies program (2026)
"During my internship, I learned a lot about networking between institutions. I attended working groups on a wide variety of topics, was able to develop projects independently, and collaborate with organizations such as the counseling center at Rat&Tat – Zentrum für queeres Leben eV."
Anna H.
Practical semester in the Social Work studies program (2026)
"In the second month – December! – my main task was the Advent calendar. I had planned to debunk a myth/fact about family every day; it involved a lot of research, but I also really enjoyed it and had a lot of freedom with it. And every day there was also a giveaway in my story for Bremen-specific family activities that I had organized."
Jette S.
Practical semester in the sociology studies program (2025/26)
"A key lesson for me was how important communication is. And not just externally, but also within the team. Often, small agreements, brief feedback, or considering different perspectives helped to avoid misunderstandings or to structure tasks more clearly. I also learned that openness and empathy in the social sphere are not just qualities one 'should possess,' but that they must be lived in everyday life, in every meeting and every phone call."
Marit P.
Practical semester in the Social Work studies program (2025)
"Participating in the design and maintenance of the Instagram account to make information more easily accessible for families was particularly exciting. Towards the end of my internship, I also helped with the planning and organization of the 'Family Education' network, which takes place twice a year."
Denise K.
Practical semester in the study of Sociology/Educational Sciences (2025)
"The public internship reports on the website gave me a good impression of the tasks and expectations at Familiennetz. That's how I ended up doing my internship here. I especially enjoyed the editorial work on Instagram and creating family-related posts. Even though I rarely use Instagram privately and had never used Canva before, I received excellent training. The feedback and the great communication among colleagues were a huge help!"
Jonas B.
Practical semester in sociology (2025)
"What truly distinguished the internship, however, was the team. From the very beginning, I wasn't treated like 'the intern,' but as a fully-fledged member of the team. Whether in professional discussions, creative brainstorming sessions, or in-depth conversations about family, parenting, and life in general, I always felt taken seriously, included, and supported."
Celine G.
Practical semester in the field of educational sciences (2025)
"Overall, I would recommend the internship to anyone interested in working with social media and wanting to learn how information work functions in the field of family education. The working groups offer the opportunity to make contacts and learn how social media can be used in a social context."
Alexandra H.
Practical semester in the study of Art in Social Context/Art Therapy (2025)

Press & Media

You can find current press releases about our projects and our work here. Do you have questions as a member of the media? Get in touch!

Summer holidays already planned?
Article: News

Summer holidays already planned?
June 2, 2026

Summer vacation begins in Bremen on July 2nd. But how can the six-week break be effectively combined with family and work life? The Bremen Holiday Compass offers support: at bremer-ferienkompass.de, parents can find an up-to-date overview of supervised holiday programs for school children aged 6 and up.

Learn more about “Summer holidays already planned?”
Guidance for families and professional expertise: The 2025 Annual Report
Article: Press releases

Guidance for families and professional expertise: The 2025 Annual Report
May 28, 2026

Where can I find a PEKiP course? Who can help after a separation? What holiday programs are available for my school-aged child? How can I find suitable professional development or a working group for my field? For many families in Bremen, the Bremen Family Network is the first point of contact. Professionals are also increasingly utilizing the expertise of this specialist agency. The figures from 2025 impressively demonstrate that the need for guidance and support remains high.

Learn more about “Orientation for Families and Professional Competence: The 2025 Annual Report”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)