The Official Opening of the Hafan
A dedicated room for peace, calm and prayer was recently opened at Barry Hospital on June 1st 2023. The room, called Hafan – Haven, is to be used by staff, patients and family members to take some time out to pause and reflect.
The room was dedicated and commissioned with a series of readings, reflections and prayers in the company of the hospital Chaplains and representatives from Soroptimist International of Barry and District.
Rev. Jason Tugwell, Chaplain at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) said: “We have dedicated spaces for prayer and reflection in most of our hospital sites and we’d had a request from staff and patients to have a similar room at Barry Hospital. With the kind and generous help from the Soroptimist International of Barry and District, we were able to make this wish a reality.”
The room is a quiet and welcoming space, with comfortable seating, prayer mats, kneelers, bibles, prayer books for everyone to use, when they need to find peace.
Soroptimist International of Barry and District helped to provide beautiful stained-glass window film, meaningful photographs to add feeling to the room, along with hand carved religious-themed items to be used for worship. They also provided a selection of different religious literature and kneelers to be used for prayer.
Angela Hughes, Assistant Director of Patient Experience at Cardiff and Vale UHB said: “It is so important that our staff, patients and families have a dedicated space to use to take time to pause and reflect. I’m delighted that this room is now available for people to use and I’d to thank the Soroptimist International of Barry and District for their kind help in making this room such a special place.”
A prayer for peace: John 14:25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
The room is located on the first floor at Barry Hospital and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for those who need to use it.