Bear Cottage is a children’s hospice located in Manly, Australia and is part of the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. It provides long-term care to children, including nursing care, music, play and art therapy, and food, cleaning, and counseling services.[1] Bear Cottage is designed to be like a home away from home and as far removed from a hospital environment as possible. Staff do not wear uniforms, and no medical procedures are carried out in the bedrooms, which are designed to be like a normal bedroom.[2]
It opened on St Patrick's Day 17 March 2001[2] after $10 million had been raised from the community to build it.[3] In 2017 its operational costs were approximately $3.7 million per year,[4] with funding coming from the government, clubs and private sector.[5] It is one of only three children’s hospices in Australia.[6] Since 2016 the Cottage has been managed by Narelle Martin.[7] Professor Les White is the Patron.[8]