Creating Compassion: The corporate role in supporting families at Bear Cottage

How your business can help children in hospice care this Christmas

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for many, but for some families, it can be a period filled with heartache and loss. This holiday season, businesses can play a vital role in transforming the lives of families facing unimaginable challenges. At Bear Cottage, the only children's hospice in New South Wales, the holiday season holds a unique significance as they strive to provide comfort and support to families during their most trying times.

Bear Cottage: A lifeline for families

Bear Cottage is part of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and is the only children’s hospice in NSW dedicated to caring for children with life-limiting conditions for respite and end of life care.  It provides excellence in paediatric palliative care 24 hours a day. 

Bear Cottage cares for children from across Australia, regardless of where they receive their primary care, although the majority of families that access the service are from NSW. The children who visit Bear Cottage range from newborn infants to older adolescents.

Bear Cottage provides a warm and home-like environment where families can stay with their child. Bear Cottage’s comprehensive Family Support program ensures that care is provided for the entire family throughout their child’s illness and after their death.

Meet Nursing Unit Manager, Philly Smith and Community Relations Manager, Bronwen Simmons

I had the pleasure of interviewing Bronwen Simmons, Bear Cottage Community Relations Manager and Philly Smith, Nursing Unit Manager. Bronwen serves as a vital link between Bear Cottage and the community. She coordinates internal fundraising activities and engages with community and corporate groups to foster support through various initiatives.

Philly, the Nursing Unit Manager, oversees all nursing staff and has nearly two decades of experience at Bear Cottage. She is committed to providing the compassionate care for which Bear Cottage is renowned. Philly emphasised the importance of offering continuous support to families even after the loss of a child, a rare and invaluable service.

Personally, as someone who had a very sick baby who is now healthy, this was not an easy discussion for me, and I shed a few tears during the interview.

Navigating a different kind of Christmas

As the festive season approaches, Bear Cottage recognises that not all families will celebrate Christmas in traditional ways. For many connected to Bear Cottage, this time can be particularly poignant as they navigate illness or loss. The holidays may evoke feelings of sorrow rather than joy, underscoring the need for compassion and understanding from the broader community.

Bear Cottage creates a supportive environment by hosting events such as their annual Christmas party, in which over 500 people attend. This is where families can gather, share experiences, and find solace in each other’s company. These gatherings serve as a reminder that while some may celebrate with abundance, others seek comfort amidst heartache.

Collaboration with other hospices nationally

As part of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and supported by Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, funds raised ensure every sick child has access to extraordinary care. Families do not pay to stay at Bear Cottage.

There are only three children’s hospices in Australia - Very Special Kids in Victoria and Hummingbird House in Queensland. Together, these organisations work to raise awareness about children's hospice care and advocate for families facing similar challenges throughout Australia.

In October, Bear Cottage collaborated with these organisations for World Hospice Day, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about hospice care globally. This day serves as an opportunity to highlight the significance of providing compassionate care for those facing life-limiting illnesses.

How Corporates can help

Corporations play a crucial role in sustaining Bear Cottage's operations and enhancing its services. Here are several ways charitable contributions can make a significant impact this Christmas and throughout the year.

Financial donations: Regular financial support helps cover operational costs and Family Support programs.

Fundraising events: Participating in events like the annual Bear Affair Gala Ball or Superhero Week in July enables workplaces to come together for a common cause while raising vital funds. For Superhero Week, ideas include hosting a themed morning tea or sponsoring your CEO to dress up as a superhero for a day. Alternatively, organisations can organise their own fundraising events.

In-kind donations: Businesses can contribute by offering goods or services that benefit families at Bear Cottage.

Corporate volunteering: Each month, up to 10 employees can participate in volunteer opportunities that support the day-to-day operations at Bear Cottage. Examples include garden and facility maintenance. Also, each Christmas, corporate staff can participate at the annual Christmas Wrapping Station which raises funds for Bear Cottage.

Bear Cottage epitomises compassionate care for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Through the dedicated efforts of individuals like Bronwen and Philly and the wider Bear Cottage team and with corporate and community support, Bear Cottage can continue to provide vital services that address medical needs and emotional well-being.

As we reflect on our own celebrations this season, let us remember those facing challenges far beyond our own experiences and consider how we can extend our support to organisations like the truly wonderful Bear Cottage.

If you like to get involved, please contact bronwen.simmons@health.nsw.gov.au at Bear Cottage or the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation on info@schf.org.au

To make a donation to Bear Cottage, please click here.

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