Where life draws strength and light

When the Basel Lighthouse first opened at the end of the 1980s, moving in signalled the beginning of the last stage of life for many people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. AIDS was a taboo subject at the time – highly stigmatised – and society reacted with uncertainty and fear. At a time when there was little research into the disease and only limited medical assistance available, the Lighthouse offered a sanctuary to those who were often rejected elsewhere. It was the first home of its kind to offer dignity, comfort and humanity to the dying.

From deathbed to source of life

What was once a hospice for the dying is now a place of life. The Basel Lighthouse still stands for a sense of security – these days as a home for people with chronic illnesses or severe physical disabilities who are dependent on long-term care. "The Lighthouse is now a residential home for people with significant disabilities caused by illness or an accident," explains Elisabeth Vonbun. She has been in charge of the institution since March 2023, and is familiar with its development. "With the medical advances in HIV treatment from the late 1990s onwards, the mortality rate fell significantly. More and more people were living longer with HIV." The Lighthouse responded by increasingly opening up to people with other serious chronic illnesses or disabilities in order to meet their changing needs. A place of farewell became a place where life and care take centre stage.

The newly designed garden of the Basel Lighthouse

Beyond care

The institution can look back on an eventful history. The change from a hospice for the terminally ill to a facility for people with significant support needs is also reflected in the space available. In 2002, the Lighthouse moved from Hebelstrasse to Gustav-Wenk-Strasse, into a former children's home that now accommodates 21 residents. "People should feel comfortable here," says Elisabeth as she gives a tour of the two-storey building. The upper floors offer the opportunity to spend some time in lounges and a kitchenette, while on the ground floor there are three single rooms and a large common room with a television. Some of the residents are sitting together there, absorbed in their individual work. For Elisabeth and her team, the residents' right of self-determination is paramount. "Providing care is one requirement, and structuring the day with meaningful activities is another," emphasises the trained care specialist. "But we help people organise their lives as independently as possible." The Lighthouse is characterised by the principle of enabling participation and offering prospects for the future.

Challenges remain

This attitude is also shared by the foundation of the same name, which is under the patronage of the Gesellschaft für das Gute und Gemeinnützige Basel (GGG). "We are happy to be embedded in the foundation," says Elisabeth. "The collaboration with the three-member Board of Trustees works very well." The flow of information is key, as the challenges have remained the same in recent years. One of these is financing. "Changes in subsidy policy resulted in temporary deficits that the foundation was able to compensate for," explains the Managing Director. "It was urgently necessary to rethink the financial foundation and secure it for the long term." Nevertheless, the Lighthouse remains dependent on subsidies and donations.

A place to enjoy

A solid financial foundation enables the foundation not only to plug holes, but also to make targeted investments in the well-being of the residents. One visible manifestation of this is the garden, which was extensively redesigned from 2023. The old pool has been covered over and a vegetable garden has been planted at the back of the park, which is cultivated by neighbourhood residents. "This is a project that connects the home more closely with the neighbourhood," says Elisabeth. The result is a joy to behold (and experience), especially in the warmer months of the year. Where there used to be a plain lawn, there are now colourful wild flowers that not only look good, but also attract bees, butterflies and other small garden creatures.

Pizza oven creates a festive atmosphere

One special highlight of the garden is the pizza oven. As soon as it is fired up, the smell of fresh dough delights the residents of the building. "Then there's a real party mood!" says the Managing Director with a smile. The employees were also taken into consideration. A new seating area was created for them as an inviting retreat for well-deserved breaks surrounded by greenery. The coffee tastes twice as good there, even when temperatures are in the single digits, as they were on this Monday afternoon. And the raised beds are also blossoming in the truest sense of the word. They are tended by the residents (with support), and provide berries for snacking and sometimes even a tomato or two, which end up in the Lighthouse kitchen.

Artworks created by residents in the studio

Self-determined and creative

The garden is filled with life – and so are the residents. When they are not outside or on short trips with the volunteers, they are drawn to the studio in the basement, which offers a treasure trove of creative possibilities. "People paint, do jigsaw puzzles, craft and do whatever they can," says Elisabeth. Whether it's with fine brush strokes, colourful collages, bracelets or small works of art made of wood – there are no limits to the imagination. So what thrives on the outside also grows inside: joie de vivre, community and creativity. This is exactly what Elisabeth and her team are passionate about: helping people with serious chronic illnesses or disabilities to maintain and develop their individual abilities. These days, many residents stay at the Lighthouse for years. "We recently celebrated a resident's 25th anniversary of being here," says the Managing Director. This is a moment that shows the extent to which the Lighthouse has become a home for many of its residents.