About this Event
A space to talk, a space to sing—join us on November 10th
When illness strikes, clinical care looks after the physical body. But what happens to the emotional turmoil left behind in the quiet? What happens to all those emotions?
At Daring to Dream, we believe that supporting the emotional health of the 1.2 million adults in Wales living with physical illness is just as vital as their medical treatment. We soften the harsh edges of a medical diagnosis by creating non-clinical "Spaces to Talk" and vibrant "Spaces to Sing" inside our hospitals.
But we cannot do it alone.
On Tuesday 10th November, we are gathering for a very special late-morning event to share personal stories, provide clinical insight into our work, and bring hidden feelings into the light. Together, we can ensure that no one has to navigate the loneliness of illness on their own.
This event is also a vital moment for us to challenge the ‘medicalisation’ of our human, emotional responses to illness. The profound emotions that arise from a severe diagnosis are a natural reflection of our shared humanity, not a mental health disorder.
Regrettably, public discourse has shifted towards labelling normal human emotional responses to adversity as 'mental health issues.' We want to change this narrative, explain why our charity specifically supports emotional (not mental) health, and help you understand why this distinction matters so much.
We will also be looking forward to the future with the exciting launch of ‘Lleswyl 2027 – The Breakthrough Festival’!
We are delighted to announce that two of our special guests joining us are Lowri Morgan, extreme athlete and broadcaster and Bethany Handley, award winning author, poet and disability activist & access consultant.
Event Details:
- 🗓️ Date: Tuesday 10th November 2026
- 📍 Location: Cabaret, Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff Bay
- ⏰ Arrival: 11:00 (Join us for tea, coffee, and networking)
- ⏰ Event: 11:30 – 13:00
- Cost: There is no cost for the event
Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Siân Lloyd, this soul-stirring morning will feature four independent conversations exploring emotional resilience, creativity, clinical care, and the importance of emotional health in living well with illness:
- 🏃♀️ Different Marathons, Same Emotional Stamina: Extreme athlete Lowri Morgan maps the parallels between conquering a 100-mile trail and navigating the daily endurance of chronic illness.
- 🏥 Clinical Credibility—Healing Beyond Medicine: Director of Nursing, Planned Care, at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Sharon O’Brien reflects on the profound clinical impact of Daring to Dream’s Spaces to Talk and Spaces to Sing at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend.
- ✍️ Reclaiming Our Landscapes: Award-winning author, poet, and activist Bethany Handley explores how creative storytelling and emotional health fuel the power to challenge barriers.
- 🚀 The Emotional Breakthrough: Founder and Chair Barbara Chidgey closes the event by clarifying the vital difference between emotional and mental health, outlining the charity's 2027 vision, and launching Lleswyl 2027 – The Breakthrough Festival.
Accessibility: The venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
Daring to Dream wishes to thank the Wales Millenium Centre for their support
https://vimeo.com/1188629285?share=copy
Event venue & nearby stays
Cabaret at Wales Millenium Centre, Bute Place, CARDIFF, United Kingdom
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