Katherine Jenkins sings praises of Tŷ Olwen in special Christmas show
PICTURED: Staff pose for a photo with Katherine Jenkins during her visit to Tŷ Olwen.
A Christmas television special fronted by world-renowned singer Katherine Jenkins will shine a light on the staff and service provided by a Swansea Bay hospice.
Katherine, from Neath, made an emotional visit to Tŷ Olwen to speak to staff and visit the facility that provided care to her father Selwyn before he passed away of lung cancer in 1995 when she was just 15.
It was her first time returning to Tŷ Olwen, which provides specialist palliative and end of life care, in 28 years.
PICTURED: Katherine Jenkins speaks to Tŷ Olwen Ward Manager Karren Roberts at the facility's tea bar.
Katherine was given a tour of Tŷ Olwen before speaking with staff – past and present – and recalling her memories of the facility which is in the grounds of Morriston Hospital.
The 43-year-old’s visit forms part of the Christmas with Katherine show, which also includes footage from her recent performance in Swansea Arena, which will be screened this weekend.
Katherine said of her visit to Tŷ Olwen: “It was tough to go back, I hadn't been back since he passed. I met with some of the nurses who looked after him and it was just important to think about the people who are doing an amazing job and looking after people on Christmas Day, not with their families."
Katherine was shown around Tŷ Olwen by Ward Manager Karren Roberts.
PICTURED: Helen Murray, chair of Tŷ Olwen Trust, is interviewed by Katherine for her upcoming show.
Karren said: “Whilst it was a very emotional visit for Katherine, it was a lovely opportunity to talk to her about her memories and also show her around Tŷ Olwen, which has changed a bit in that time.
“She met current staff and spoke about their roles while a number of retired staff came in especially to meet and talk to her as they were working in Tŷ Olwen in 1995.
“She also met Helen Murray, chair of the Tŷ Olwen Trust, who gave her a wonderful insight into what they do in terms of fundraising for Tŷ Olwen.
“Katherine also spent time chatting with patients off camera too, which was really nice for them as they felt very comfortable talking to her.”
To thank Tŷ Olwen for the service it provides and the care it gave her father, Katherine provided free tickets for her show at Swansea Arena.
During the event, she spoke about Tŷ Olwen while footage of her visit was beamed onto the big screens.
Karren added: “It was a fantastic concert and Katherine’s gesture of free tickets was really appreciated.
“All our staff at Tŷ Olwen work so hard and are incredibly committed to the care of every single patient, and I think Katherine could remember that from her time visiting her father and also during her recent trip to see us.
PICTURED: Former staff Glenys Payne, Fran Graham, and Anne Samuel pose for a photo with Katherine during her visit to Tŷ Olwen.
“To hear her speak so positively of Tŷ Olwen during her concert was really pleasing as it’s a big acknowledgement of the hard work our staff put in every single day.”
Christmas with Katherine Jenkins will air on Saturday, December 23, at 7.10pm on BBC One in Wales and BBC Two.
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