Being critically ill or chronically ill and sadly, for some very courageous people, living with shortened life expectancy are all challenging scenarios whether we are the patient or a family member.

All the clinical staff who look after us provide so much expertise, care, kindness and help to us all by providing excellent and appropriate medical interventions.

However, critical, chronic and life-shortening health conditions are hugely emotionally demanding of all patients. This is on top of the immense physical demands of the ill-health itself. As a patient, in order to respond physically as well as possible to our personal health challenges, we also need to dig deep emotionally.

Daring to Dream® is a new fund specifically set up to support the emotional health and well-being of ward patients in University Hospital Wales. The fund is in partnership with Cardiff & Vale Health Charity. It is part of the legacy of the Leading Wales Awards.

During 2019 we are fund raising specifically for Cardiology. The plan is to fund a) stuff: ie ipads, bed chairs, ice pops b) services and activities such as hairdressing and music as well as c) develop the relatives area into a place for families to relax in.

It's a hugely ambitious project and by working with the Cardiothoracic Directorate this year we hope to develop an approach and an engaged network to extend this provision across more clinical areas.