Being a teenager can be a challenging and exciting time.
If you’re a teenager with complex needs, like the young people supported by Tŷ Hafan, things are even more complicated and come with a unique set of challenges.
It can be harder to make friends. It isn’t always easy to talk to people about your fears or goals for the future when you’re not sure if you’ll have one or what that may look like. It’s hard to relate to your peers. You can often feel isolated.
That’s why our dedicated and specially designed space for teens – The Den – is such an essential and unique part of the Tŷ Hafan hospice facilities.
What is The Den?
The Den is a dedicated space at Tŷ Hafan, designed to appeal to and meet the needs of the over-12s who come to the hospice, known as The Squad.
It’s a ‘cool’ space where they can chat, play video games and hang out—a hideaway where they can just be teens and talk to other young people who understand what they’re going through.
Opening in 2021 as part of our makeover, The Den is a friendly space in our hospice specially designed for young people to hang out.
It features an accessible kitchen, social and lounging area, super smart gaming zone and state-of-the-art cinema room.
It’s designed to feel separate from the rest of the hospice, which is styled with younger children in mind.
Outside is the Founder’s Legacy Den Garden, which was designed by The Squad themselves. It features a pizza oven, a Bluetooth speaker, accessible outdoor furniture and a mural the teenagers helped to paint.
Why The Den is so important
“In The Den, foundations are built for long-lasting friendships.” says Transition Nurse Sophie Knapp.
“Friendships where feelings and thoughts about both an uncertain future and the excitement of being a teenager can be shared with others who just ‘get it’.”
Curtis and Seth love the social aspect of The Den and enjoy regular Youth Club meet-ups where they can spend time with their peers. “My favourite part about The Den and Youth Club is the gaming, and socialising while I game. It’s a very, very social place,” says Seth. Curtis feels the same way—”I enjoy coming to see people and having a chat.”
While having a safe space to hang out and socialise has been a lifeline for many young people at Tŷ Hafan, the same goes for the adults in their lives.
While their teens are hanging out together, parents and carers grab a cup of tea and talk about what life is like at home and the challenges they’re facing.
Harriet, 19, has been coming to Youth Club for the last four years. Her mum Kelly shared that Harriet loves The Den because it feels age appropriate to her and she gets to spend time with her peers.
“At 18, you’re in an adult world. For Harriet, that meant going from seeing nurses with colourful scrubs as a child to a more clinical setting without that as an adult. It felt like there was no transition between these two worlds. The only place Harriet had to provide that transition post-18 was The Den.”
Sophie sees The Den as an invisible string, connecting families back to Tŷ Hafan long after their children have moved into adult services. “The door is always open for those who need us. You’d be amazed at the power that coffee, cake and a chat have.”