Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, was delighted to visit Tŷ Gobaith recently alongside her colleague and friend Gareth Davies MS, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Vale of Clwyd.
Tŷ Gobaith is a children’s hospice near Conwy. It provides vital care and support for children with life-threatening conditions, along with their families, across North Wales. Their services range from palliative care to sibling support and bereavement counselling.
During the visit, they were both shown the hospice's unique features, including a young adults' room, a multi-sensory room, and the Snowflake Suite, which is designated for recently bereaved families. There is also an upcoming extension project, which is currently still in progress and aims to enhance the space available for families.
They were also informed about the hospice's financial challenges, with Welsh Government funding covering just under 12% of the care costs for both Tŷ Gobaith and Hope House, and only 8% of costs at Tŷ Gobaith alone being supported by the Government.
Following the visit Gareth said:
“It was a pleasure to accompany Janet on a visit Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospice on the sublime hills overlooking the River Conwy, and we were stunned at the exceptional facilities and the care and dedication shown by staff, who I’d like to thank for giving Janet and I a memorable experience.
“I viewed plans for the extension which is currently under construction and will provide greater space for families, which will be a welcomed addition, and I spoke to staff about the difficulties with funding.
“Welsh Government provides a measly 8% of hospice care costs for Tŷ Gobaith which is significantly less than what is offered in England and relying almost entirely on private donation isn’t sustainable, so the Welsh Government need to increase the funding offered to the hospice if they are to continue their exceptional work.”
Commenting on the visit Janet said:
“Gareth and I had the most heartwarming and memorable experience during our visit to Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospice.
“Touring their excellent facilities, it was truly inspiring to see the care and attention given to every aspect of the hospice. From the thoughtfully designed young adults’ room to the calming multi-sensory space, each area is crafted to provide comfort and support to the children and their families.
“What struck me most was the dedication and compassion of the staff. Every person I spoke to was passionate about their work, tirelessly offering love and care to those in need. Their commitment to ensuring that the families feel supported during such difficult times is truly admirable.
“It’s clear that Tŷ Gobaith is more than just a hospice – it’s a place of solace, compassion, and unwavering support for families across North Wales.
“Sadly, like many of these places, Tŷ Gobaith is heavily reliant on private donations and fundraising efforts, with only 8% of their funding coming from the Welsh Government. It’s exactly these vital services that deserve more robust financial backing. I sincerely hope that the Welsh Government continues to support Tŷ Gobaith and works toward increasing funding opportunities, ensuring the long-term sustainability of such crucial care for children and their families.”
ENDS
Roedd Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy, yn falch iawn o ymweld â Thŷ Gobaith yn ddiweddar yng nghwmni ei chydweithiwr a'i ffrind Gareth Davies A, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Ddyffryn Clwyd.
Hosbis i blant ger Conwy yw Tŷ Gobaith. Mae'n darparu gofal a chymorth hanfodol i blant â chyflyrau sy'n peryglu bywyd, ynghyd â'u teuluoedd, ledled y Gogledd. Mae eu gwasanaethau'n amrywio o ofal lliniarol i gefnogaeth ar gyfer brodyr a chwiorydd a chwnsela mewn profedigaeth.
Yn ystod yr ymweliad, gwelodd y ddau nodweddion unigryw yr hosbis, gan gynnwys ystafell i oedolion ifanc, ystafell amlsynhwyraidd, ac Ystafelloedd Pluen Eira, sydd ar gyfer teuluoedd sydd wedi cael profedigaeth yn ddiweddar. Mae yna hefyd brosiect i adeiladu estyniad sydd ar y gweill a'i nod yw gwella'r gofod sydd ar gael i deuluoedd.
Cawsant wybod hefyd am heriau ariannol yr hosbis, gyda chyllid Llywodraeth Cymru yn talu ychydig o dan 12% o gostau gofal Tŷ Gobaith a Hope House, gyda dim ond 8% o gostau Tŷ Gobaith sy'n cael eu cefnogi gan y Llywodraeth.
Wrth sôn am yr ymweliad dywedodd Janet:
"Cafodd Gareth a minnau brofiad twymgalon a chofiadwy yn ystod ein hymweliad â hosbis plant Tŷ Gobaith.
"Wrth gael ein tywys o gwmpas eu cyfleusterau ardderchog, roedd yn wirioneddol ysbrydoledig gweld y gofal a'r sylw a roddir i bob agwedd ar yr hosbis. O'r ystafell i oedolion ifanc sydd wedi'u cynllunio’n ystyriol i'r gofod amlsynhwyraidd tawel, mae pob ardal wedi'i saernïo i ddarparu cysur a chefnogaeth i'r plant a'u teuluoedd.
"Yr hyn a'm trawodd fwyaf oedd ymroddiad a thrugaredd y staff. Roedd pob person y siaradais i â nhw yn angerddol am eu gwaith, gan gynnig cariad a gofal yn ddiflino i'r rhai mewn angen. Mae eu hymrwymiad i sicrhau bod y teuluoedd yn teimlo eu bod yn cael eu cefnogi yn ystod cyfnod mor anodd yn wirioneddol ganmoladwy.
"Mae'n amlwg bod Tŷ Gobaith yn fwy na dim ond hosbis – mae o’n lle o gysur, tosturi, a chefnogaeth ddiwyro i deuluoedd ledled y Gogledd.
"Yn anffodus, fel llawer o'r lleoedd hyn, mae Tŷ Gobaith yn dibynnu'n fawr ar roddion preifat ac ymdrechion codi arian, gyda dim ond 8% o'u cyllid yn dod gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Dyma'r union wasanaethau hanfodol sy'n haeddu cefnogaeth ariannol fwy cadarn. Rwy'n mawr obeithio y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i gefnogi Tŷ Gobaith ac yn gweithio tuag at gynyddu cyfleoedd cyllido, gan sicrhau cynaliadwyedd hirdymor gofal mor hanfodol i blant a'u teuluoedd."
DIWEDD
