Volunteer with us

Volunteers play a pivotal role in creating a nurturing and supportive home-away-from-home for both patients and their families. 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Bear Cottage Children's Hospice in Manly, NSW. You will provide support for children and their families through respite and end-of-life care. Our volunteer team is diverse and come from various professional backgrounds, enriching the patient and family experience.

Please read the different roles below and click 'Apply to be a volunteer' for one or all of them! After you apply, we will be in touch prior to the next intake (2025).

Whether you're offering companionship or assisting with daily activities, every act has the power to brighten someone's day. You can make a lasting impact on the lives of our patients and their families. 

PLEASE NOTE: Bear Cottage follows all current NSW Health guidelines to ensure we provide the safest environment for children, families, staff and volunteers. 

All volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated. This includes:

  • Hepatitis B, DTPa (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)
  • MMR (Measles Mumps and Rubella), Varicella (Chickenpox)
  • Annual flu vaccination

You will also be required to hold a current Working with Children Check.

If you have any questions, please email us at schn-bearcottage@health.nsw.gov.au. 

Apply to be a volunteer

Housekeeping volunteer

Assist our housekeepers in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring a comfortable, welcoming environment for families and children. Tasks may include vacuuming, folding or ironing.

A young smiling man holding a broom

Kitchen volunteer

Meal times at Bear Cottage are a special way of connecting with children and families at Bear Cottage. You will get to help our chefs prepare food, assist with meal service, and wash up.

A man with white hair preparing fruit at a kitchen bench

Play, Art and Music Therapy Volunteer

Volunteers support our Play, Art and Music therapists in engaging patients and siblings in activities such as music sessions, reading, arts and craft or outdoor activities.

A lady in a pink shirt holds a baby with a breathing tube

Therapy dog walking volunteer

Volunteers walk our therapy dog Beau, who is a vital comfort and emotional support to families and children.

A lady in a pink shirt squats with a ball in her hand next to a labrador dog

Garden volunteer

We have beautiful grounds at Bear Cottage for families and children to relax in and enjoy. Volunteers assist in weeding, sweeping, planting, pruning, mowing and hedging. Every bit helps and all abilities are catered for!

A man wearing a broad brim hat and gardening gloves tending to bushes

Hairdressing volunteer

Volunteers offer hairdressing services to children and families – an activity that can be difficult for many families. Please apply if this is something you are interested in on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

A lady in a pink shirt stands behind a young person and holds up hair for cutting

Adhoc roles

Transport volunteer

An adhoc but valuable volunteering role that drives families and their children to the cottage, appointments or outings.  This could involve pickup from their home within the Sydney metro area or any of the Sydney Children's Hospitals. You would use one of our two vehicles: an 11 seater bus or a mini SUV.

Public speaker

This is an adhoc request, often supporting the Community Relations Manager in community based events. Public speaking resources have been developed to support you in this role, which would be provided by the Community Relations Manager.  If this is something you are interested in please indicate your interest.

Fundraising or events volunteer

This is an adhoc role ranging from assisting at Bear Cottage fundraising events such as A Bear Affair, Superhero week to Xmas parties or assisting at third party events in the community.

Yoga volunteer

Families and children appreciate having the chance to engage in relaxing yoga from time to time. We encourage families to ask if they would like a one to one / group yoga session and then book our yoga teacher in on an available day and time. 

Photography volunteer

As a photography volunteer you will work on an adhoc basis, supporting our important memory making by taking family and children portraits and documenting events as requested. When required you will be supported by a member of staff to take family and children portraits.

Massage and reflexology volunteer

You need to be qualified to undertake this volunteering role. You would offer therapeutic sessions to parents, carers and children at Bear Cottage.

Handy person

A volunteer handy person supports our maintenance team with small jobs and repairs to keep the space comfortable and safe.