Ty Hafan

Ty Hafan provides respite, palliative and end of life care, for children who suffer from conditions which mean that they will not reach adulthood. Some families have two or more affected children.

Not that peace and tranquility always reign of course. In fact the rooms of this stunningly designed building ring with fun and laughter, while children and carers make full use of the multi-sensory room, jacuzzi, soft playrooms and teenage lounge. Some of the children, of course, are not quite as mobile and active but they are still included and encouraged to participate as much as possible.

But haven it certainly is for the children who need constant care and attention, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The g ruelling regime of care and necessary drug administering is completely taken over by the fully trained care staff as soon as the family walk through the doors leaving Mum and Dad, and sometimes siblings to spend valuable quality time together.

The service and support offered to these families is completely free of charge.

When a diagnosis is given which offers no hope, or when treatment is abandoned, families can often feel isolated - alone and afraid in their grief. Many children’s conditions deteriorate slowly and this puts an enormous strain on family life. Holidays, family activities and outings are denied, as are a full night’s sleep or time to themselves. Healthy brother and sisters inevitably feel left out, as attention focuses on the sick child.

Ty Hafan is dedicated to providing love, care and support for the whole family. They offer a listening ear, a helping hand and more. They believe in helping children to make the most of the precious time they have left.

A children’s hospice is a place of love and understanding, of fun, hope and friendship. As one mum said, “It’s a place for living.”

We are only human, there are only so many hours in a day... But I can honestly say that this was the
most practical, meaningful and genuine offer of real help that we have ever received. And it came from a charitable organisation whose kindness and
compassion is such that you can almost touch it.
Quote from the father of one of the Ty Hafan children
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Melanie Jones of Barry was diagnosed with San Filippo when she was six, which affected the family dramatically.

Melanie's Story

The strain of looking after Mel, unfortunately, was the main contributory factor which led to the breakdown of mum Jackie’s first marriage, leaving her with five children, including Mel, to look after on her own.

Mel was a delightful and beautiful young lady and a real favourite of everyone who met her. Mel, Jackie, new step-dad Jeff and siblings Donna, Rebecca, Dale and John were one of the first families to use Ty Hafan when it opened in 1999.

San Filippo is a mucopolysaccharide disorder, known as MPS. These are long sugar molecules which are constantly used and broken down in the body as cells are built and replaced. In Mel’s case the enzyme which breaks down the mucopolysaccharides was missing which resulted in them remaining in the cells causing progressive damage.



The deterioration that Mel experienced meant she was no longer able to mobilise and in the later stages of her illness she spent much of her day lying comfortably on her bed or on play mats. Although she could not communicate she had some understanding and could recognise different voices, especially those of her family.

Mel loved music and noisy, bright sensory toys and also being stroked and massaged to relax. She loved going in the multi-sensory room at Ty Hafan, especially to lie on the water bed. Mel obviously enjoyed staying at the hospice and her mum and step-dad often took the opportunity to use the time to go on well-deserved holidays and spend time with the other children. Equally, they enjoyed staying as one family - sharing the meals cooked by the wonderful chefs and splashing in the jacuzzi which Mel particularly loved.

Rebecca and John also benefited from the sibling fun days where the attention was then focussed on them. Jackie attended mums’pamper nights and Jeff became a member of the Ty Hafan dad’s football team.

To show their appreciation, the family has supported Ty Hafan over the years and Jeff is always the first to register for the annual 55 mile Ty Hafan Bike Ride from Brecon to Cardiff. When Jackie’s father was awarded compensation as a result of contracting an illness during his time as a miner, he passed it on to his two daughters. Jackie immediately donated half of hers to Ty Hafan in appreciation of the help and support she had received.

Melanie celebrated her sixteenth birthday on 9th February 2007.
Sadly, she died peacefully at the hospice three days later surrounded
by her family.


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You Can Help...

Ty Hafan needs to raise £2.5 million every year
to continue offering its vital service which is dependent upon public support.

Volunteering Opportunities

Ty Hafan currently has 246 children/families registered with them (not including the families still receiving support whose children have been discharged), 95 of these are bereaved families. Therefore, 151 children/families are currently accessing respite care and the family support service.

There are many different ways you can support Ty Hafan by volunteering. Volunteers are a special team of people who are involved in helping in all areas of Ty Hafan’s work, from being part of the kitchen or gardening team at the Hospice to helping in one of the charity shops, to fundraising, helping out at events and much more.

Volunteering is a great opportunity to learn new skills, develop your CV, make new friends and improve your social life. You can fit it around other commitments, from a few hours to a full day - you decide how much time you can spare.

Without volunteers supporting Ty Hafan in so many ways they would be unable to provide the much needed service offered to the children and families in Wales who need their love, care and support.

I would like to thank you all for what you have done for my family. You are all so loving and caring, I feel you are all part of my family. You gave us hope when we felt despair, you gave us
a quality of life when I felt I didn’t have a life.
You gave us many smiles. You gave us the strength to carry on. You gave us time to think and make
decisions. You gave us wise words, love and friendship. You’ll always be in our hearts and in
our prayers. We love and cherish you all so much. God bless you all and thank you so very, very much. You’re always in our hearts.
Quote from the mother of one of the Ty Hafan children