CHARITY FEATURE: Bears Of Hope

BEARS Of Hope provides leading support and exceptional care for families who experience the loss of their baby during pregnancy, birth or infancy.

Every day in Australia, one in four pregnancies end in loss, six babies are stillborn, a miscarriage occurs every 3.5 minutes and three babies die before their first birthday.

The organisation aims to reduce the isolation Australia-wide by connecting with parents within days of their loss and beyond, through Bears Of Hope ‘Bears’ and resource bags, fee-free counselling services, parent support groups, community events and online resources.

Bears Of Hope guide parents through creating memories with/of their baby, and helping them navigate their grief as they face the future without their baby.

One mother who has experienced the support of Bears Of Hope is Zoe.

“We lost our baby girl, Flora, at 14/15 weeks,” she said.

“I felt like it was the ‘forgotten stage’; not early miscarriage, not stillborn, yet we still had to deliver our little girl and hold her.

“I used the Bears Of Hope counselling sessions and I also managed to connect with other parents through their online support groups too.

“It was there and I needed it!

“The counselling sessions were very easy to arrange and manage, and the tools I was given have helped to manage the panic attacks associated with my grief.

“Bears Of Hope has provided a community to speak to.

“A bear to hold in our darkest hour; helping us feel not alone.”

There is no time limit on grief after the loss of a baby.

Acknowledging the intricate nature of the grieving journey, which often extends beyond the immediate aftermath of loss, parents can access Bears Of Hope services at any point in time, for as long as they need.

The Bears Of Hope mission involves acknowledging these precious babies and connecting families in safe spaces and respecting that grief is personal and unique.

Find out more about Bears Of Hope at www.bearsofhop.org.au.