Barbara emphasised that emotional health is about how we feel and cope with adversity (including illness), whereas mental health is about how our minds function. While clinical care addresses physical needs, illness unleashes severe emotional responses that are frequently overlooked. This is the gap that Daring to Dream seeks to fill.
Cllr Heidi Bennett and Barbara Chidgey
Rt Hon Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Michael Michael, Ffion Parry, Lylia Young, The Worshipful Mayor of Bridgend, Cllr Heidi Bennett
“This is why Daring to Dream is the emotional (not mental) health charity, and why we provide vital ‘Spaces to Talk’ and ‘Spaces to Sing’ in hospital ward areas. These spaces help the 1.2 million adults in Wales living with chronic illness process their feelings and live as well as possible.”
Barbara said: “When we live with illness, we react emotionally just as acutely as we do physically. To live well with a long-term condition, clinical care and emotional health must go hand in hand. We fundamentally need both to live as well as possible, even when our life is shaped or shortened by illness.
“Importantly, the profound emotions that arise from severe illness are a natural reflection of our shared humanity, rather than an indication of a mental health illness.
“Regrettably, public discourse has shifted towards labelling normal human emotional responses to adversity as ‘mental health issues.’ At Daring to Dream, we are actively challenging this discourse and encouraging everyone to talk about their feelings, rather than keeping them inside.
“Diagnosis, treatments, and the impact of living with chronic conditions bring a rollercoaster of grief, anger, anxiety, and more. Navigating these intense feelings requires us to nurture our emotional health, not treat a mental illness.”
The money raised at the Ball will enable the charity to continue creating safe, supportive environments— ‘Spaces to Talk’—in hospitals across Wales, where families can discuss clinical updates openly and share the emotional impact. These refurbished Quiet & Relatives’ Rooms offer calm, dignified places & privacy for patients and families to process difficult news, share emotions, or simply take a moment to breathe. The charity also creates ‘Spaces to Sing’, recognising the power of music to connect, comfort, and lift people during illness and long hospital stays.
Barbara concluded: “Illness may be an inevitability of the human condition, but emotional isolation does not have to be. We cannot always cure the condition, but together, we can absolutely heal the experience.”
The Ball also showcased the charity’s single Here Together, written by Lylia Young. Barbara explained the song’s origins: “Lylia was inspired to write a charity single for us as a result of her work for us in Princess of Wales Hospital. We discussed the lyrics between us; she had picked up my frustration that the emotional impact of illness is simply not heard. People don’t talk about it, they don’t acknowledge it, they don’t share it. Hence the lyrics emotively share that frustration and encourage people across Wales – ‘Can you hear us? Cos we are breaking down these walls? Can you see us? We don’t want to be ignored! Just sing with us! Just sing with us! We don’t have to be alone!’
We are so grateful to be able to share this message in such a powerful and beautiful song.”
Held at the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff, the event included wonderful performances from the Tenovus Cancer Care Cardiff Sing with Us Choir, Leigh Manley shared poetry from both him and Bethany Handley, and an auction led by broadcaster and long‑standing supporter Jason Harrold.
The charity also welcomed support from civic leaders including Cllr Heidi Bennett, Mayor of Bridgend; Cllr Michael Michael, Lord Mayor of Cardiff; and Cllr Jane Gebbie, Chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
To find out more about Daring to Dream and support its work, visit About us – Daring to Dream or contact Barbara Chidgey at barbarachidgey@daringtodream.wales
To access the charity video & single, visit Here Together