ABSTRACT
Wellcome offers support to families in the first weeks after a baby is born. Surprisingly, previously there was no service available to families in this new and often overwhelming situation of beginning parenthood. It sends volunteers to help mothers in their homes and fulfill tasks such as taking care of the baby or siblings and help in the household. It has realised an impressive growth since its foundation in 2006 and their teams are present in almost every city in Germany. The leitmotiv for starting wellcome was to create a system of support for all families irrespective of their income situation, their educational background, and their health situation. The German welfare system is largely based on public social insurance funds covering pensions, health, unemployment and accident insurances. The brand "wellcome" stands for "wellness" and "welcome" for children and families; or, in short, "well come" in the sense of arriving safely.
