Social Work at Bear Cottage is focussed on getting to know a child or young person and their family.

Our program offers opportunities for parents and children to discuss and explore the emotional, social, spiritual and practical issues families can experience when caring for a child with a life limiting illness.

At Bear Cottage, social workers partner with families to strengthen their social, physical and mental wellbeing. Our social workers are guided by our motto that life is for living. 

Support is individualised and may include: 

• practical assistance 
• help navigating complex processes like NDIS or Centrelink 
• advocacy 
• support through grief and loss 

Our social work and counselling service is available through respite admissions, when back at home and into end of life and bereavement. 

"Working at Bear Cottage is a privilege. What I love is seeing the staff all working together with roles overlapping in an effort to provide a happy and supportive environment for the families. To see a smile on the face of a child and realise that at that moment on that day we have made a difference makes for a fabulous work day." Bear Cottage Social Worker

The play program at Bear Cottage aims to meet children at their own level - where they are most comfortable - in the world of play.

They can explore, at their own pace, a wide range of emotional challenges and to make sense of their world.

Play therapy provides activities and an environment which promotes adding life to years, days and moments.

The program incorporates in-house activities both one-to-one and in groups, as well as outings and visiting specialists such as musicians, storytellers and clown doctors. 

Interactive and creative play therapy is available seven days a week. 

One of the ways that we celebrate life is through music which is why our Music Therapy program is important in so many ways.

Music is the language children can use to make sense of their world. It is a powerful tool for alleviating anxiety, promoting feelings or control and giving opportunities for self-expression.

It allows Bear Cottage to be the happy place it is. It helps lighten the mood and brings laughter and play.

Our music therapy program gives children, parents and friends the opportunity to communicate their love, sadness, respect and happiness in a non-verbal environment.

"I love working at Bear Cottage because every single person who walks through the door is valued for who they are. I think Bear Cottage is a place to discover that sometimes the things which may have seemed impossible to do can become feasible." Bear Cottage Music Therapist

Heartbeat music 

Our art therapy program makes Bear Cottage bright and colourful. 

Whether using hands, feet or wheelchair tyres, every child can make their mark.

Even the least mobile children are able to participate in the tactile experience of oozing paint between their fingers or can enjoy a splash of colour.

Our art therapy program provides children, siblings and other family members with a creative space to explore emotions, communicate thoughts and feelings - sometimes for which there are no words.

It provides siblings and family members creative ways to reflect on, express and acknowledge the vast emotions experienced when caring for a child with a life-limiting illness.

"Being able to work creatively with families to help them visually express stories and memories of their children has been such a privilege for six years, whether that is during a respite visit or at end of life. The whole collaborative process involving tales of joy and sadness, a tangible celebration of a life and those that have been touched by that life, however short". Bear Cottage Art Therapist

Wheelchair art

Our in-house physiotherapist provides support to children and families with the aim of maximising a child's potential. 

Physiotherapists are able to assess and monitor strength, joint range and mobility to maintain physical function. 

They offer respiratory assessments to enhance lung function and also play a role in education and support to parents and carers.

Pets have always been part of our Bear Cottage family and make it feel just like home. They can offer comfort and joy and bring moments of happiness. 

The most visible of our pets are our companion dogs who greet our families when they arrive. Our current companion dog, Beau, has been trained to assist but he has intuition beyond his training. Many times, the nurses will go into a patient’s room and be met with the sight of Beau lying on the bed with our young patient. No command has been given – the dog has heard a silent request and knows that its head, under the child’s stroking hand, is the best medicine. 

There are also colourful fish in our fish tank for our children to enjoy. Siblings are able to help feed the fish and have fun trying to find Nemo! 

And we can’t forget the chicks or ducklings we hatch at Easter time – it’s lots of fun to name each one as it breaks through it’s shell.