This National Volunteer Week, we are celebrating the incredible community who have given their time, care and compassion to Bear Cottage over the past 25 years.
All of our volunteers are extraordinary - but this year holds special significance as we honour two who have been with us since the very beginning.
Bear Cottage’s Family Support Programs create opportunities for every member of the family to connect, take time out, and be supported by others who truly understand. Our Dad’s Support Weekend is open to both bereaved and non-bereaved fathers, providing a safe and supportive space for dads who are navigating the many demands of caring for a seriously ill child, supporting their partner and family, balancing employment, and looking after their own wellbeing.
At Bear Cottage, music is more than just sound – it becomes a source of comfort, calm, and connection. Bear Cottage volunteer, Clíona Molins, is a talented harpist originally from Dublin, Ireland, who brings this healing power to life through her gentle melodies. With a deep passion for lullabies and a heart dedicated to soothing children and their families, Clíona’s visits create moments of peace amid challenging times. Her music not only brightens the faces of the children but also offers solace to parents, siblings, and staff, making Bear Cottage feel a little more like home.
Our Grandparents’ Retreat is an important part of the Bear Cottage Family Support Program, which supports all family members – parents, siblings and grandparents – for as long as they need. This retreat recognises the unique role grandparents can play, while giving them the opportunity to connect, share their stories and find comfort in a community that understands. In August, nine grandparents came together for our annual Grandparent’s Retreat, held at the beautiful Q Station Manly.
We were honoured to welcome 90 family members and friends to our annual 𝗔 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲 (ALPOM) exhibition, held at the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS).
This beautiful initiative, created in collaboration with artist Andrew Christie, the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation Art Program and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Palliative Care teams, invites families to create a photographic pixel portrait using 30 specially chosen photos that come together to form the portrait of their beloved child.
Losing a child is an unimaginable pain that no parent should ever have to endure. The grief that comes with such a loss is profound, and it often leaves parents feeling disconnected, lost, or overwhelmed. In these dark moments, self-care can seem difficult to prioritise, but it is essential for navigating this challenging time.
Many of our Sydney families are familiar with the magic of Vivid – the time of year when the city comes alive with dazzling lights, vibrant projections, music and ideas. This year, that magic took on an even deeper meaning, as some of our Bear Cottage families had the chance to be a part of it.
We are pleased to welcome new social workers Lynda Beer and Nicola Guy. Social work is a vital part of the care we provide to families.
We're excited to welcome 16 newly inducted volunteers to Bear Cottage! These dedicated individuals have almost completed their training program, which covers important aspects of volunteering at Bear Cottage.
Bear Cottage recently held our annual “Grandparent’s Retreat” at the beautiful Q Station at North Head in Manly. We were joined by 11 bereaved and non-bereaved grandparents. Thank you to Paula for sharing her story.
