"It brings out the best in people": Inside the Cwtch at Hafan y Coed

12 June 2026

In the basement of Hafan y Coed, is ‘the Cwtch’, a place for patients to be creative, build friendships and find joy away from the ward environment.

The Cwtch, based within the specialist mental health unit at University Hospital Llandough offers a welcoming place where patients can take part in activities, learn new skills or spend time with others in a relaxed, informal setting.

Mental Health Nurse Karen Jones leads the small team dedicated to providing a varied programme of inpatient activities seven days a week.

Equipped with a piano, kitchen area, garden space, pool table, table football, craft table and reading area, The Cwtch gives patients the option to take part in structured sessions or enjoy a chat.

Karen has worked in Mental Health Services in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for 28 years, first as a Health Care Support Worker and then qualifying as a nurse in 2007. 

“I’ve wanted to do this job since 2011,” she said, “because of the difference it can make to a patient’s stay in hospital. And in 2018 I got seconded to the post. At that time activities were only run for the acute wards. But I see it as part of the whole Hafan y Coed unit, so I opened it up to everybody.”

Now open daily from 9.15am – 6.45pm, the service is delivered by a small team with each member taking the lead on different activities through the week.

For Sharon, a Health Care Support Worker who has 25 years of experience in Adult Mental Health services, the gardening sessions are her focus. “Giving patients the chance to get off the ward and involved in gardening is very therapeutic,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to see the patients as they’re getting better. It’s such a lovely job.”

Health Care Support Worker Libby has worked at Hafan y Coed for five years but only joined the Inpatient Activities team two months ago. Being a former hairdresser, she has started to run a hair salon every Tuesday. “Working down here, you see a completely different side to patients than you do on the wards,” she said. “Being able to do things that they thoroughly enjoy brings out the best in people.”

The programme also includes music sessions led by visiting teacher Nuri, where patients can learn to play the piano, enjoy a sing-along or even turn their own reflections into a recorded song. Karen said: “Even patients who are reticent about getting involved with music, you’ll see them start shaking a tambourine or singing.”

Other activities range from arts and crafts, soap making and journalling, to Tai Chi, chess, relaxation sessions and a beauty group. For those who prefer something more informal there’s the option to play pool, darts or sit and talk.

“Patients can try something new or create something to brighten up their room,” said Karen. “I like to see the social side too. You see friendships between patients starting and developing.

“It can be a long old day on the ward. If you are in a busy environment, patients might retreat to their bedroom and then they’re in there with their thoughts, and feelings, and the boredom can set in. By coming down, it is a different space. It can be a lot of fun. When patients go out smiling, I feel like we’ve achieved something then.”

Patients agree, describing The Cwtch as a ‘a relaxed atmosphere’, ‘creative and fun’ and ‘it’s freedom’.