Art Therapy at Bear Cottage

Our meeting on 15 June 20 had a most interesting and inspiring speaker, Judy King. Judy is the Art therapist at Bear Cottage in Manly and explained how Bear Cottage is the only Children’s Hospice in NSW and has become the model for similar operations in Melbourne, Queensland and Western Australia.

 

Bear Cottage is a very special place that cares for children (aged from newborn up to 19 years) together with their families with life-limiting conditions. It is however like a home away from home – as far removed from a hospital environment as possible.

 
 

 

Judy explained her role as Art Therapist is a well-recognised area of helping the mental health and well-being of patients, especially tin situations where there are varying degrees of disability. It is a highly specialised branch of psychology; in addition to the art drawings, the texture and sometimes just feel of the paint or playdough is as important as the finished work or canvas. The process of the making of the art is every bit as important as the finished piece and helps to divert attention from the medical situation that the patient is experiencing. Frequently, it will not only assist the therapy for the patient, but also it will leave warm and happy memories for the family. Judy works one-on-one in some family situations like end of life, and in groups especially at weekend camps.

 

In addition to the patients attending art sessions during their stay, Judy also works with families of children even after they have died with memory making and to make funeral arrangements.  Sometimes hand prints or foot prints are made and used to capture a different but nice tangible memory of the child, and every foot print or thumb print is unique. Siblings will often make canvases of other special loves of things they shared with the patient, like trucks and tractors or books like the Hungry Caterpillar, for example, and reflect their precious memories of their brother or sister. From time to time, a family tree representation is drawn by the patient or occasionally the whole family will participate which is a good way to help the whole family.

 

Judy and Art Therapy at Bear Cottage

Judy explained that it is the patients and families that do this; not her - she enables them to make the canvas, they do to be their art. Judy gave some beautiful examples of the canvases and said that doesn’t matter what they mean to us or to Judy – it is just what it means to them. Frequently kids will roll on the floor in the paint on the canvas, and what they get from doing it and their way of expressing themselves is important. 

 

We were shown interesting examples of Rugby ball drawings and Darth Vader helmet drawings: touching examples of the things that siblings did together. 

Using art to tell a story is an amazing way of communicating and can be quite profound in its depth.

 

 

A Wonderful Happy birthday: 

A 99-year-old great-grandfather who loved grapefruits and lived in China was sent a picture drawn by his grandson in Bear Cottage and told everyone that it was the most touching present and birthday wish. 

Although they had never met - it was a wonderful connection between the sick child and the great grandfather though the artwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wheelchair Art in the Garage at Bear Cottage

Wheelchair art: 

Less mobile kids often run their wheelchairs across a patchwork of paper on the ground and make an interesting and touching pattern on large canvases that have paint spread using 50ml syringes then wheel the wheelchairs though it. 

The fun that the kids all enjoy is just magic. Each family involved get a piece of artwork. Often pieces are framed and auctioned off at fund raising events.

 

 

Family support programs Mum’s camps and Dad’s camps are held twice a year, in addition to sibling camps. Once a family is introduced to Bear Cottage, they are always part of the Bear Cottage family – even if the child has passed. (They are always welcome, but not obligated.)  Art and drama is used at the camps especially with sibling camps. Although it can be sad at Bear Cottage, most of the time it is about celebrating life and it a good thing to get the children together - especially when some of the children know what it is like.

 

 

 

Patients at Bear Cottage normally have a 4-6 week stay each year and it gives both patients and family a respite to their routine. Judy said a lot of her work at Bear Cottage is with end of life (along with siblings) to preserve memories. At end of life there is no time limit and normally a patient will stay a few months. A multi-discipline referral and assessment system using weekly meetings for admission is employed so that special criteria are met. Sometimes an assessment admission is given to ensure that the patient and staying at the cottage is appropriate. Only 8 patient beds are available but whole families can be accommodated in units attached to the facility. It is a place where they can be with the whole family and addresses the needs of the entire family - not just the patient. (but this was scaled back severely during Covid.)

 

Judy said that whilst she is paid by the Health Department, the position is funded though external charity sources, similar to music therapy and social workers at Bear Cottage. She works at Bear Cottage 2 days a week (sometimes on different days depending on the situation) and also works with older adults in a number of different settings on other days using art therapy to assist mental health problems and victims of domestic violence and early intervention.

 

Judy said she entered this work after becoming a registered nurse, plus an initial background in print-making then followed up by a fine arts degree then post graduate qualifications in art therapy. Judy presented at the London Art therapy Conference in 2019 at which 36 countries were present including UK, Europe and many 3^rd world counties where many studies and ideas were shared and evaluated. Most similar operations overseas are also funded by charities.

 

Judy’s presentation gave our members a much greater understanding of the outstanding benefits generated from art therapy at Bear Cottage: a program that has been supported by Balgowlah Rotary club for many years.  We were highly impressed with her enthusiasm, commitment and professional management of this valuable program. When President Lindy presented Judy with a certificate of appreciation, Judy presented our club with a beautifully framed picture made from Wheelchair art.

 

President Lindy Myers and Judy King presenting the amazing artwork to the club.

 

Open Day: Sunday OCTOBER 10, 2020

 

A Volunteer Workshop was held the offices of at Community Northern Beaches in Manly on Friday 18th June.

Jaz Smith, Manager - Volunteer Services at the center conducted a most informative session that described the various opportunities and roles available across a large number of types of organisations, vocations and skill sets. She also told the audience of the obligations and requirements of the volunteer, suitability for the role and the some of the requirements both of the volunteer and the service establishment.

Given a number of members have expressed interest in directly working with some local community organisations, we have invited Jaz to come and talk to us at a future meeting.

COMING EVENTS:

Changeover Night

29 June TUESDAY Changeover night

7pm Zoom & up to 30 people at Wine room, Balgowlah RSL

Note: Kindly REPLY TO LINDY’s INVITATION & PAY ASAP

 

Meeting & Speaker

6 July TUESDAY Formal Meeting

7pm Zoom & up to 30 people at Wine room, Balgowlah RSL

Speaker - Gavin Ralston - Rotary Foundation Chair

 

Special Event (SAVE THE DATE)

17 August TUESDAY Joint Meeting with several Rotary Clubs

7pm - Venue to be advised

Speaker - Dr Ray Hodgson - "Heartbreak in the Himalayas" - the plight of women in Nepal