Wales charity shines light on emotional impact of illness ahead of celebratory annual fundraising ball

Nearly 48% of adults in Wales, around 1.2 million people, live with at least one longstanding condition and a Welsh charity says the emotional impact of this is still not widely understood or supported.

Daring to Dream – the Emotional Health Charity, says its 2026 Ball & Auction in Cardiff on Friday June 12, 2026 is a vital moment in highlighting this often overlooked side of living with illness.

The event not only celebrates the strength and resilience of people across Wales but also raises essential funds that enable the charity to continue creating safe, supportive environments where people can talk openly about the emotional realities of illness.

The charity says that while clinical care focuses on treating the body, the emotional experience of illness, such as fear, uncertainty, frustration and loss, is often left unspoken, despite being a fundamental part of living with a long‑term condition.

“We are shining a light on the emotional health of people living with illness,” said Barbara Chidgey, Founder and CEO of Daring to Dream. “Emotional health and clinical care go hand in hand; it matters just as much as physical care and people need safe, supportive spaces to talk about what they are feeling.

“This year’s Ball is a wonderful opportunity to come together, promote the importance of emotional health and help us make a real difference for people living with illness across Wales.”

Daring to Dream creates ‘Spaces to Talk’ in hospitals across Wales. These refurbished quiet rooms offer calm environments where patients and families can process difficult news, share emotions, or simply take a moment to breathe. The charity also supports ‘Spaces to Sing’ recognising the power of music to connect, comfort and lift people during illness and long term stays in hospital.

To deepen the conversation about the emotional realities of illness, this year’s Ball will feature a powerful line‑up of voices and performances that reflect the charity’s mission.

The charity has confirmed that Bethany Handley, Welsh award-winning writer, speaker and disability advocate, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Ball.

Fresh from her appearance at the Hay Festival, where she spoke about her new book My Body is a Meadow: Finding Freedom in the Outdoors, Bethany brings a deeply personal perspective on living with chronic illness. She is known for her writing on disability justice, access and the lived experience of navigating the world with long‑term conditions.

Bethany said, “People see the treatments and the symptoms, but not always the emotional weight that comes with illness. The fear, the grief, the exhaustion, it’s real, and it deserves to be heard.

“Daring to Dream is doing vital work by creating spaces where people can talk openly about how illness feels and learn to live well with illness. I’m honoured to support that message.”

The Daring to Dream Ball will take place at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff and will be hosted by broadcaster Jason Harrold.

It will also feature performances from the Cardiff Tenovus Cancer Care Sing with Us choristers, and a special appearance from Lylia Young & Ffion Parry, writers and performers of Daring to Dream’s charity single Here Together. The evening will also include a live community recording of the song, an auction and raffle supporting hospital‑based emotional‑health projects.

Host and supporter of the charity, Jason Harrold, said, “Every person who comes along helps Daring to Dream reach more people who really need this support.

“It’s a night full of heart, hope, brilliant company and something genuinely uplifting for people across Wales.”

To find out more about Daring to Dream and to support its work with sponsorship or donations, please contact Barbara Chidgey at barbarachidgey@daringtodream.wales or https://daringtodream.wales/contact-us/ .