23/10/2025
𝗠𝘂𝗺’𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 – 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘀
"At our recent Bear Cottage Mums weekend, we had the privilege of witnessing something truly powerful: a space where mums of children with complex needs could simply be. No expectations, no judgement – just space to rest, reflect, and connect.
We saw mums who carry so much, every single day – often without rest, recognition, or a chance to voice their own needs. We saw the emotional labour that is so often invisible: the deep love, the grief, the fear, and the strength it takes just to keep going. But we also witnessed something just as powerful: connection.
When these mums came together, something shifted. Stories were shared – sometimes through laughter, sometimes through tears. In those moments of peer support and mutual understanding, the weight was shared. It became just a little lighter. This is why spaces like this matter.
As social workers, we often talk about the importance of community, mutual aid and care. At Bear Cottage, we saw all of that in action – mums supporting one another – not because they had to, but because they 'get it'.
Self-care isn't selfish – it’s survival. Asking for help isn’t weakness – it’s a brave and necessary act of love, for themselves and their families. These mums don’t need to be perfect. None of us do. What they need and deserve is space to be human, to be held, and to be reminded: you are enough and you are doing an incredible job.
We left the weekend with deep respect and a renewed commitment to keep showing up – for these mothers, and for the networks of care that sustain them. We walk beside you. Always." 𝙇𝙮𝙣𝙙𝙖 𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙧, 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧. 💕
We are incredibly grateful to the wonderful organisations who so generously support these weekends: Channel 9, St. alma Freshwater, Sah Sin Massage, Poetica Bar & Grill, The Boathouse Shelly Beach and Bear Cottage volunteer Yasco Newton.
