There has been a personnel change at the pregnancy counselling centre of the Catholic Women's Social Service (SkF) in Schweinfurt as of 1 May 2020. Ms Karin Seufert is retiring. For almost forty years, the qualified social worker was head of the Catholic pregnancy counselling centre in Schweinfurt with branches in Haßfurt and Gerolzhofen.
The challenges facing the counselling service have changed repeatedly over the past four decades. The counselling centre was often confronted with enquiries arising from social changes: Currently, these include questions about prenatal diagnostics and the associated decision-making situation for women who are confronted with the results, questions about motherhood and childbirth, support in clarifying entitlements such as parental allowance and maternity protection, assistance for the period after childbirth, educational courses for parents to strengthen their parenting skills – counselling for those wishing to have children, advisory support in dealing with authorities regarding legal entitlements. This is only a small selection from the wide range of topics that shape everyday counselling work. In addition, as part of its early support services, the SkF offers children's clothing and equipment at affordable prices in its second-hand shop.
Ms Seufert faced up to these changes. She had the welfare of women and families at heart who turned to the SkF in their various emergencies – not only those relating to pregnancy. The increasing number of women turning to the counselling centre shows that this pregnancy counselling service recognises the plight of women and can offer effective help. The fact that this service is so well received is due in no small part to Ms. Karin Seufert. She championed "her" women and families consistently, sustainably, purposefully and, at times, with the necessary tenacity. Her colleagues and the board of the social services organisation would like to thank Ms Seufert for her tireless commitment during all the years she was in charge. Unfortunately, it is not possible to hold a farewell ceremony for Ms Karin Seufert in the planned format in order to pay appropriate tribute to her commitment to the social services organisation.
Pregnancy always means a profound change for all women and their families. Providing support to ensure that living together with the child is a success is the task of pregnancy counselling, and offering this support to women and families in a way that is as "tailor-made" as possible has always been my goal. I remember very well what one mother said to me: 'I was pregnant and you were there.' She summed up what I have strived to achieve to the best of my ability."
