This National Palliative Care Week, we acknowledge that paediatric palliative care goes beyond medical treatment. It’s about supporting life - lightening the load, nurturing connection and helping families focus on what truly matters in every moment they share. Within hours of Grace’s birth, her family noticed something wasn’t right. What followed was a life shaped by complex care, constant monitoring and navigating a reality that often felt overwhelming.
Bear Cottage is privileged to provide families the space to grieve, reflect and find comfort in one another's presence, while keeping their baby close. Bear Cottage acknowledges those babies who have died and the unique grief of pregnancy and infant loss.
When you hear the word hospice, it often stirs fear, sadness – even dread. For many families, it feels like the closing chapter of hope. But for Aria’s mum, Chrissy, stepping through the doors of Bear Cottage brought something entirely different: comfort, compassion, and the precious gift of time together as a family.
On World Hospice Day, we take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of hospice care – not just as a place for end-of-life support, but as a place where love, dignity and life are honoured in every moment. Aria’s story is a powerful reminder of what that care can truly mean.
Childhood dementia includes more than 100 different conditions that progressively damage a child’s brain. Bear Cottage is privileged to support many children and families affected by these heartbreaking diagnoses. Jack, Kye’s dad, shares their journey.
One of the joys of being part of the Bear Cottage community is staying in touch with families who have been with us over many years. We were delighted to recently hear from the Brown family, who shared a heart-warming update about their daughter Erin and son Denver.
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.
Why is it that when we hear the words palliative care, our hearts sink?
Bear cottage hosts Mum's Support Weekends for bereaved mothers to help find peace when grieving the loss of a child.
Although Beau’s future is filled with many unknowns, Nicole is determined to provide her little boy with the best quality of life possible
Twenty-month-old Louis's parents, Amy and James, have one goal for their little boy – for him to live the “biggest and best life” possible.
