Star Bear

The Star Bear program was established in 1999 and is a non-profit service for the children of SA.

It became part of Anglicare’s Loss and Grief service in 2002. It is for children, aged 5–16, who have suffered the loss of a parent, sibling or carer. It is based on ‘Support, Trust And Respect’ for every child.

The Star Bear program provides children with a weekend camp conducted by trained mentors and carers. The camps are designed to increase children’s understanding of death and the grieving process, appropriate to their age, and give them an opportunity to share their experiences with other children.

Activities at the camp include outdoor games, a visit from Star Bear and a remembrance ceremony.

During the camp, a parents/carers program is available for adults to connect with others with similar concerns.

Both camps and parent days are staffed by trained professionals. Campers keep in touch with Star Bear newsletters and other activities.

In 2005, the Star Bear program received a grant to write a series of booklets, by children and for children, about grief. These books will be a unique contribution to our understanding, and are presently in preparation.

If you would like more information about child and adult grief, visit www.grieflink.asn.au

Star Bear's Remembering books

The Star Bear program received a grant from Community Benefit to produce three books for children by children to help children deal honestly with grief. They have been beautifully put together by Black Sheep Advertising (thanks Andrew Millar and Warwick Gregg)and are available for $6 or $15 the set.

Thanks to Channel 7's Jane Doyle, for giving a wonderful introduction when she launched the books in June. She is pictured here with Rebecca Ludlam, a former co-ordinator of Star Bear, who got the project up and running.

If you'd like to order the books, you can download more information and an order form here.

If you would like more information about the Star Bear program, please call the Loss and Grief Centre on
(08) 8301 4208 or email starbear@anglicare-sa.org.au