Ian Watkins, who lives in Cowbridge, lost his five-year-old son William to cancer and said Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice gave him and his family the space and support to “be parents again” during their most difficult days.
He said: “Ty Hafan gave us space to be parents again.
“They held us through the darkest moments and helped me find a way to talk about grief when I didn’t have the words.”
Mr Watkins said the small acts of care made a lasting difference during William’s final weeks.
He said: “quiet conversations in the garden, staff who remembered his son’s favourite songs, and the gentle support that guided his family through decisions no parent should ever face.”
He also praised the one-to-one support he received from family support worker Dan Notley.
Mr Watkins said: “Dan would take me out for a coffee every day, just an hour to breathe, step out of the room and feel normal for a moment.
“He could see when I was going into my shell and helped me refocus when I couldn’t see it myself.”
He said that before meeting Mr Notley, he “didn’t have any support,” and that those conversations helped him get through the final weeks and prepare for what came next.
The Cowbridge father’s story is one of many being highlighted during Hospice Care Week, which runs until October 11.
Ty Hafan is using the week to raise awareness of the essential role hospice care plays in supporting families.
The hospice’s work with fathers is a key focus, offering safe and informal spaces where men can speak openly about fear, responsibility, grief and identity – often for the first time with others who truly understand.
Mr Notley said: “Men often carry their grief quietly.
“We try to give them places where they can talk, laugh, share memories or say nothing at all, whatever they need.
“No dad should feel alone in this.”
Ty Hafan says it fully supports the theme of Hospice Care Week – “don’t leave hospice care to chance” – and is calling for fair and stable funding to protect vital services.
Matt Brindley, policy and advocacy manager for Wales at Hospice UK, said: “Every story shared this week shows the extraordinary value and impact of hospice care in Wales.
“Everyone deserves high quality hospice care, whoever they are and wherever they live, and compassionate care in the community is at the heart of everything we do.
“We cannot leave something this important to chance.
“Wales needs fair and stable funding for hospice care now.”
Next month, Mr Watkins and his wife Nicola will share more of William’s story as part of Ty Hafan’s Christmas Appeal.
