The Diakonie is the social branch of the Protestant Church. The Diakonische Werk evangelischer Kirchen in Niedersachsen e. V. (social welfare organisation of the Protestant Church in Lower Saxony) has more than 3,000 facilities and services, and works closely with the regional churches. In Lower Saxony. the state association has 595 members with altogether around 89,000 employees, with at least the same number of many people working as volunteers. The Diakonie is the largest welfare organisation in the state; as a major economic entity, it also contributes to stabilising Lower Saxony as a business location particularly during times of crisis.

With its supportive services, the Diakonie enhances social cohesion, assumes mutual responsibility and provides a social infrastructure that forms the basis for the success of business companies, especially also during the skills shortage. The availability of sufficient top-quality places in day care centres for children, adequate widespread provision of home nursing services and residential care facilities, as well as skilled workers to support and assist people with disabilities: all this contributes to putting work in the care sector on a professional level, rather than leaving it up to families to deal with on their own. In this way, more qualified workers are available for the job market. The services provided by social welfare bodies thus make an essential contribution to keeping the economy functioning properly.

Every year, the Diakonie ensures about 800 people in Lower Saxony can start working in a voluntary service, an offer that is taken up particularly by young people aged between 16 and 27 years. The 26 vocational colleges run by the Diakonie provide training in 20 different vocations associated with caring for the disabled, the social sector and healthcare. The Diakonie also runs 65 counselling centres for general social counselling and offers specialist counselling for 769 day care centres for children.

Moreover, Lower Saxony as a healthcare location would be simply inconceivable without the Diakonie’s numerous hospitals, care homes, home nursing services and residential care facilities as well as assisted living projects and facilities for the disabled.

Furthermore, the Diakonie is also involved in the local churches in many different ways. These include helping with visiting services, with the “Brot für die Welt” charity, in hospice groups, or working with people who are young, old or sick ,and in many different projects to reduce poverty among children, families and older people.