Vision, Mission and Values
Bears of Hope is an Australian registered not-for-profit organisation managed solely by a dedicated team of bereaved parents. Our professionalism and longevity has been built on delivering passionate and active pregnancy & infant loss support, education and awareness, and in strengthening relationships with allied health professionals. Bears Of Hope exists to improve the facilitation of the healing journey for families experiencing a loss. Bears of Hope is affiliated with maternity hospitals throughout Australia including all NSW and ACT hospitals.
Vision
To provide leading support and exceptional care for families who experience the loss of their baby.
Mission
B ears offered at every hospital providing vital
E arly support
A n Australia wide program which provides timely and
R elevant information to families who experience
S tillbirth, miscarriage, neonatal or infant loss
O ngoing comfort and a lifetime of support
F rom families who understand
H elping to challenge and shape beliefs surrounding loss
O utstanding care
P assionate pregnancy & infant loss support
E ducation and awareness
Values
- Committed to achieving our vision with integrity.
- Dedicated to and passionate about making a difference.
- Respecting grief is personal and unique.
- Every family has the right to be offered support without judgement.
- Equal acceptance and acknowledgement of every loss.
Objectives
Bears of Hope is established for the public charitable objects of:
(a) relieving the suffering, distress and misfortune experienced by parents who have lost their baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, genetic interruption, multiple loss, neonatal or infant death through:
(1) provision of online support groups;
(2) facilitating face to face support groups;
(3) hospital and home visits by Bears of Hope members
(4) provision of quarterly newsletters;
(5) holding community and fundraising events;
(6) regular phone and email contact;
(b) reducing the feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety and isolation felt by grieving parents by placing them in contact with other families who have experienced similar loss;
(c) initiating early support for parents who have experienced a pregnancy, birth or infant loss with the donation of a ‘Bear of Hope’ and providing support literature;
(d) reaching parents who have suffered loss by forming strong relationships with delivery, maternity and early pregnancy clinics, social workers, neonatal intensive care units, general practitioners, obstetricians, IVF clinics, children’s hospitals and emergency departments in NSW, ACT and across Australia.
Support Services Provided
Bears Of Hope provides:
- a bear of hope to bereaved parents through Hospitals, GP's, Obstetricians and IVF Clinics.
- A bear of hope directly to grieving parents if they have not received one
- The opportunity for parents and the community to donate a 'bear of hope' in honour of their baby, or someone else's.
- A resourceful and informative website including Parent Information (Before & After the Birth of their Baby, Arranging a Funeral, Facing the Future, Special Dates, Depression), Australia-wide Support Groups & Services, Creating Memories Before and After Saying Goodbye, Bears Of Hope Resources, Fundraising & Events, Information for Family and Friends, How To Support Our Program.
- Online Support Groups for Mothers, Fathers, Pregnancy After A Loss, Family and Friends, and for Parenting After Loss.
- Face to face support groups for both parents.
- Phone & Email Support from one parent to another
- Coffee & Chat Mornings
- Support Literature for Parents
- Healing Hearts Quarterly Newsletter
- A Mailing List for Bears Of Hope Updates
- Community Events including our Annual Charity Ball, Candle Lighting Ceremony and a Christmas Picnic.
- Fundraising events and activities
- Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness through Fundraising, Media and Event exposure
- Home & Hospital visits - Selected Sydney Metro and Hunter Region areas
Structure
We are an Australian registered not for profit organisation. Since becoming an Incorporated Association on May 22nd 2006, the organisation now known as Bears Of Hope has been governed by a Volunteer Executive Committee of parents who have personally experienced the loss of their baby. Office bearers include the President, Vice-President, Public Officer, Treasurer and Secretary.
Authority Numbers
Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Incorporated is a limited liability incorporated association based in Sydney, NSW.
Australian Registered Body Number 153 714 928
ABN 49599164988
Charitable Fundraising Number 20113