New-look homes for families to stay close to their poorly babies

Families with very sick babies being cared for in Singleton Hospital can now stay nearby in warm and welcoming houses that really are in a league of their own.

The terrace of five homes, known as Cwtsh Clos, have been transformed thanks to a huge fundraising appeal run by Swansea Bay Health Charity.

The houses are in the grounds of Singleton Hospital, close to the Neonatal Intensive Care unit, and have undergone a welcome refurbishment thanks to the generosity of people and organisations who have supported the Swansea Bay Health Charity’s Cwtsh Clos Appeal.

One of the five properties has been named Gulliver’s House in memory of musician and broadcaster Mal Pope’s grandson Gulliver, who sadly passed away after being born prematurely.

Cwtsh Clos is for families whose babies are being looked after in Singleton’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU.

It means the families, already going through a stressful time and often living a long way away, can be close to their babies in a comforting environment.

This week the health charity welcomed charity ambassadors, local MPs and MSs, health board staff and devoted supporters to celebrate the official opening of Cwtsh Clos, following an appeal to raise £160,000 to pay for the refurbishment of the two-bedroom properties.

The efforts have been supported by Swansea City FC, who made the appeal their charity of the year and dedicated their home Championship fixture against Blackburn Rovers earlier this year to the appeal, hosting pre-match events and fundraising throughout the day, and raising awareness.

The unveiling of the refurbished properties marked a milestone in the charity’s appeal to transform the houses into warm, welcoming homes for families.

Mal Pope’s gratitude for the care his family received at Singleton Hospital NICU fuelled his mission to raise vital funds for Cwtsh Clos.

He said: “After our family spent time in NICU, I asked if there was anything I can do to help. When I was told about the £160,000 target, I thought that figure would be a little bit out of our grasp.

“But here we are, and even though every time I do things to support the appeal I feel I die a little bit, there is joy as well as grief and how we are helping families.”

Swansea Bay UHB chair Jan Williams added: “Families come here from all over South Wales and not just Swansea Bay, with many living hours away by car and even longer by public transport.

“It is extremely important that parents spend as much time as possible with their baby through this very stressful time and that’s where the free-to-use houses come in.

“It is a quiet close just a stone’s throw away from the NICU, and the two-bed homes are a welcome retreat for those families who live too far away to travel back and forth.”                                                                                         

Guests at the launch were taken on a guided tour to see the incredible refurbishment work first-hand. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the living rooms now feature brand-new comfy, health board-approved furniture and Smart TVs kindly donated by Newhall.

These calming spaces are designed to give families a place to unwind and recharge, just moments away from where their babies are staying.

Bethan Wyn Evans, from from Llangynnwr in Carmarthenshire, stayed in one of the homes after giving birth to daughter in December 2021 at 31 weeks, after she had been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition called congenital chylothorax which meant she needed specialist treatment at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol.

At around seven weeks old Mari was transferred to the NICU in Singleton Hospital and her parents were provided accommodation in Cwtsh Clos.

Bethan said: “It was a tough time. It was touch and go for a while but miraculously here we are.

“When we were about to transfer from Bristol, I said I wasn’t going to do it unless we could be closer to Mari. It’s only about an hour’s drive from our home in Carmarthenshire to Singleton, but being that far away from Mari was never an option.

“We were putting in 18 hour shifts at her bedside, so it was great to have somewhere close we could have a roof over our head and some respite. We were able to switch off for a short while, away from all the beeps and noises of NICU. We were so grateful and they look so good after their refurbishment.”

Mari’s father Carwyn did his bit for the appeal, by running from St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol all the way home to Llangynnwr – over 110 miles in four days.

Another house has been titled Dylan’s House, in honour of the Principality Building Society and their mascot, Dylan the Dragon.

Head of Nursing Children’s Services Vicky Burridge added: “There is a huge psychological impact on families when their child is in NICU, and these houses in Cwtsh Clos give them an opportunity to close the door and rest, recuperate and reflect, while remaining close. It is really important for their wellbeing.

“We ask parents for feedback and were being told that the houses needed refurbishing, and they look so good after this work and we are very grateful.”

After a year of dedicated fundraising events and generous donations towards the appeal, Swansea Bay Health Charity wanted to recognise Principality’s incredible support.

This September, Principality will continue their partnership with Swansea Bay Health Charity by co-hosting Cwtsh by the Coast, a sponsored walk event offering shorter and longer routes to suit all supporters, with the date set to be announced soon.

While the homes have been transformed significantly, with freshly fitted kitchens, high-spec appliances, and peaceful, colourful gardens, the work is not yet complete.

The next crucial step is to refurbish the bathrooms, replacing baths with safer, more accessible showers for mothers recovering from birth. Swansea Bay Health Charity is now just £15,000 from completing this life-changing project.

“We’re so close to making every part of these homes fit for purpose and as comfortable as possible for families during some of the most challenging days of their lives,” said Lewis Bradley, Charity Support Manager of Swansea Bay Health Charity. “We need your support to make this dream a reality.”

If you would like to help create safe, welcoming spaces for families with premature babies, please visit the fundraising page on Enthuse here.

Learn more about the Cwtsh Clos appeal on the Charity website here.