Central Coast Bears of Hope Community Garden provides a place of peace

When Amy Sherar lost her new born son, she found peace and a connection when gardening. This has led to Australia’s first community garden for pregnancy and infant loss, right here on the Central Coast.

A Bears of Hope Community Garden has been set up at The Entrance Community Centre. Picture: Sue Graham

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It’s the first of its kind in Australia – a garden on the Central Coast where bereaved parents can grieve and nurture their “angel flowers”.

A pregnancy and infant loss community garden has been established at The Entrance Community Centre.

Garden co-ordinator Amy Sherar decided to set up the garden after losing her son Korbyn who was born at just 23 weeks in 2018.

“I just started gardening afterwards, I found that’s where I was connected most with my son,” she said.

Isla Sherar, 5, in the garden that her mum Amy set up. Picture: Sue Graham

“I thought about what other women and families in the same situation were doing. Then I decided to create a garden for bereaved families.”

With the support of Bears of Hope, a pregnancy and infant loss support organisation, Mrs Sherar set up a garden at The Entrance. It started with just 10 families and has grown to 30 and 40, with many people from interstate – and even one from the US – expressing interest in setting up their own gardens.

“It’s just taken off, we were able to get a grant from Central Coast Council and (The Entrance) Mens Shed have also helped out with garden statues and signs,” she said.

Isla and Amy Shearer at the community garden, which described as a peaceful and beautiful spot for grieving families. Picture: Sue Graham

“We want to get the message out there and reach more people. We don’t want to be shunned, we want to break the stigma around this issue.”

Mrs Sherar said the garden was open any time for people to come and water, weed or just

spend time at the garden.

She said she had also made plaques, made from spoons, with names of babies to go with their flower.

“It’s not a sad space, it’s peaceful and beautiful,” she said. “People love it which has helped as part of my own grieving process.”

For more information visit: www.facebook.com/Bearsofhope/