holding their hands, a little longer

It’s impossible to overstate the fantastic support we received over Christmas to kick-start our refurbishment project and we are delighted that the work is now well underway in the care wing and family rooms.

Now our attention turns towards the next phase of the project: a new transition suite for our teenagers.

20 years ago, we set up a dedicated support network called The Squad for our older children and young adults, those with a growing need for their own space and independence. The Den, a specialised room specifically for Tˆy Hafan teens, gave them their own space where they could socialise and feel like teenagers.

Today, medical advances and outstanding parent care has meant that many of the life-limited children we support are starting to live well into their twenties, so we need to create a new space for them. Sadly, the Den can’t serve its purpose anymore which means we regularly use coffee shop facilities at three separate adult hospices.

Transition is a scary, uncertain time for young adults and their families because there’s a big difference between the support they receive at Tˆy Hafan and what is possible in adult services. So the Squad is there to help ease the transition, both by allowing young adults to be young adults, as well as being a source of support to the whole family during a time of change in their lives.

The Squad gives both the young people and their parents the opportunity to make friends and socialise in a setting that suits them. They can go out to the cinema, go and see a comedy show or just chill out together with a takeaway and a film. These activities mean the world to the Squad and their parents because they get to share in a ‘teenage experience’.

These outings, however, can be very needs-dependent and often aren’t suitable for everyone. It might be that some don’t feel comfortable in such public settings or their needs are so complex that the trips out aren’t possible in terms of accessibility and nutrition. This is why we need a space that is specifically for our young adults.

The new transition hub will offer some much-needed social opportunities to bring a degree of normality to their lives. It will be a place where they can meet their friends, have a coffee and enjoy some independence. It also provides a security blanket for those who may have anxiety about leaving their house, as the hospice is a familiar, comfortable place.

The hub will include a kitchenette with height adjustable surfaces where our young people can independently learn to make drinks, for example, something we certainly take for granted but is an inclusive activity for all abilities. There will be a specialised social area where they can sit and have a chat, access peer services, get support from staff and enjoy the light and airy environment.

Lastly, there will be a tech zone where they can watch a movie, do karaoke or play video games. The tech zone will include a projector cinema screen, giving anyone who can’t go to the cinema, the chance to have a similar experience.

If you’d like any further information on this project, please contact us at info@tyhafan.org.

"The Squad gives both the young people and their parents the opportunity to make friends and socialise in a setting that suits them."