Lleswyl 2021 was an outstanding success. An excellent, dynamic, and engaging evening delivered via a quality end-to-end digital production was. Amazing presenters, who were BSL interpreted, really pulled the evening together and brought it to light.
Lleswyl 2021 did indeed shine a light on the need for emotional health and wellbeing support for those living with longstanding illness in Wales. It was an uplifting and joyous evening, with music as its catalyst, and drew on the power of music to bring people together and to impact positively on emotional wellbeing.
Presented by Sian Lloyd, Jason Harrold and Tumi Williams, Lleswyl 2021 featured a range of musical performances over four hours. It included interviews with NHS staff, our charity trustees, patients who have benefited from Daring to Dream’s support and Sophie Howe, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.
We received great feedback from so many people and organisations. Below, we have given just a few of the many, many lovely responses received from viewers and attendees on the night of Lleswyl 2021:
Innovate Trust, a charity that supports disabled people, was proud to share Lleswyl live through their Insight app. The 
app has provided people with disabilities across the UK with a new way to meet people, maintain contact with friends and access hundreds of events and activities in an accessible, free format. This has been even more important during the pandemic. The Lleswyl festival provided an entirely new experience for its members as it was their first-ever live-streamed music event.
Ashley Bale, Innovations Manager and Developer of the Insight App for Innovate Trust, said: “Lleswyl 2021 brought people together in an immersive celebratory experience, and for some members it was their first experience of a live music festival.
“It was incredible to see members coming together to share the experience of the motivating, inspirational and uplifting evening, delivered in a first-class, fully inclusive way. Lleswyl truly demonstrated the power of music, bringing people together in a way that can inspire. We can’t wait for Lleswyl 2022.”
“We’ve received so much incredible feedback from patients, families and friends alike, and are already looking forward to Lleswyl 2022.”
Professor Uzo Iwobi CBE FLSW “I watched Lleswyl 2021 and was absolutely delighted to see the heart-warming diverse artists invited to perform during this very unique and important festival. This opportunity ensures that so many people who are unable to attend festivals to hear live music due to illness and incapacity, can access top quality music through Lleswyl. The production was superb and the variety of music and musicians ensured an inclusive, exhilarating, uplifting 3hrs of brilliant music, streamed online for all to enjoy.
If you missed last year’s Lleswyl festival, make sure you watch it this year. Let’s go Lleswyl!!!!
Juliette Llewellyn, a musician living in Cardiff who has a chronic illness, joined the Lleswyl festival after becoming aware 
of it via social media posts. She said: “As a songwriter, I love seeing live music, but living with chronic illness means that going out socially is difficult and, at times, impossible.
“Attending Lleswyl helped me reconnect again. It was invigorating hearing artists and bands I had been unable to see for a few years and others that were new to me. It was also joyful to share the evening with friends and family.
“Acknowledging and including the chronic illness community with such a high-quality production and presentation helps us feel valued within society. A big thank you to Barbara Chidgey and Daring to Dream for putting chronic illness (and Welsh music) on the map.”
Sian Lloyd, TV journalist and presenter: ‘A highlight for me last year was co-hosting Lleswyl. It was fantastic to be involved and help bring a festival-at-home experience to support the emotional well-being of people who can’t attend live events because of chronic illness, disability, or loneliness.’
Lesley Meek, who lives in Porth and is under the care of the cardiac teams at University Hospital of Wales: ‘Having lived with a chronic illness all my life I really appreciated watching and joining in with the online Lleswyl last year. I loved the live bands! I also enjoyed learning more about what Daring to Dream stands for and what they have done so far to improve hospital day rooms and the dedication of all involved. Keep up your wonderful work!’
You can watch Lesley talking about her love of music as part of Lleswyl 2021:
