Conflicts are part of everyday life at schools. Children and young people have to learn how to deal with disputes, insecurities and stress. This is precisely where Seniorpartner in School, Landesverband Niedersachsen e.V. (SiS) comes in. Voluntarily trained senior citizens accompany children as school mediators and thus make an important contribution to violence prevention and personal development. The project is now also firmly established in Osnabrück - supported by the Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation. SiS teaches children how to resolve conflicts independently and fairly. In moderated discussions, pupils learn to listen, express their views clearly and look for solutions together. In addition, the senior partners hold one-to-one discussions in which children can address their concerns. This creates a reliable space in which trust grows and self-confidence is strengthened. The effect can be seen in everyday life: the classroom climate improves, conflicts escalate less frequently and teachers are noticeably relieved. At the same time, the children experience that older people are at their side - a valuable experience at a time when interaction between the generations is often on the wane.

All SiS activities are based on voluntary commitment. Around 450 senior citizens are active in Lower Saxony and spend over 70,000 hours a year in schools. In Osnabrück, teams contribute their time, life experience and patience to everyday school life. To ensure that this commitment remains effective, all senior partners undergo in-depth training to become school mediators. Regular further training ensures quality - whether on topics such as digital living environments, intercultural competence or crisis management. The mediators commit to a reliable commitment over several years and thus make a decisive contribution to the success of the project.

The Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation supports the Osnabrück branch of SiS because it makes a direct contribution to children, schools and society:

• Preventing violence in everyday school life
• Strengthening social skills
• Promotion of democratic values
• Cohesion between young and old

Thanks to this support, new senior partners can be recruited and trained, existing teams can be further qualified and additional schools can be involved.

The demand for school mediation is growing. In order for SiS to reach even more children in Osnabrück, it needs financial support and, above all, people who want to get involved. Anyone looking for a meaningful task after their working life will find an activity with a direct impact here. At the same time, supporters are needed to help secure the organizational structures in the long term. SiS shows how valuable the experience and commitment of older people are for the younger generation. Children get help with conflicts, teachers are relieved and our society gains a little more solidarity. Senior Partners in School - sponsored by the Friedel & Gisela Bohnenkamp Foundation: for strong children, supported schools and respectful cooperation in Osnabrück.