What we do

Daring to Dream supports and promotes the emotional health and well-being of adult* (those aged 16 years and above) patients in Wales.

In Wales, 1.2 million adults live with at least one longstanding illness. The extensive clinical care we receive primarily addresses our physical needs. However, the emotional turmoil and impact that accompanies illness is also very significant but is not usually addressed. Illness brings a whirlwind of emotions that can be overwhelming, making it very difficult to enjoy life or live it fully.

Research shows that better emotional health and skills can lead to faster recovery from acute crises and support living well with chronic illness. At Daring to Dream, we recognise the importance of addressing these emotional challenges to help individuals manage their physical illness and treatments more effectively.

So we support the emotional health of those living with illness in a variety of ways.

Daring to Dream makes spaces to talk and we:

1. Raise awareness of the importance of good emotional health for living well with illness. We can all give time and make space to talk for someone we know who is living with illness, so that they can talk about their feelings arising from illness.

2. Create physical ‘Spaces to Talk’ in hospitals. These non-clinical ‘safe spaces’ in Quiet Rooms, Relatives’ Rooms, and Dayrooms within the ward area provide essential private space for patients, their families, and staff to have important conversations during vulnerable times. Our rooms offer a ‘safe space’ to share feelings, offer comfort, and to hear and discuss clinical advice.

3. Create ‘Spaces to Sing’ with music to boost emotions, initiate conversations and connect people socially. Sometimes when words fail, music speaks.

Lleswyl is an important part of the work of Daring to Dream, as it serves to promote and raise awareness of the charity and forges links and partnerships with other relevant charities as well as reaching out to everyone across Wales who can’t get to live gigs or festivals. It is the charity’s own ‘Space to Talk and Sing’.

Barbara Chidgey, the founder and Chair of Daring to Dream talks about ‘Making Spaces to Talk’

Nav Masani was asked to explain the importance of the ongoing conversations about emotional health with someone with a chronic illness, and giving the time and the space for those patients: