Welsh wholesaler makes festive visit to mental health facility

Castell Howell’s Christmas-themed lorry has made a special visit to Tŷ Llidiard in Bridgend on its festive delivery route across Wales and the Southwest of England

The wholesaler visited the mental health facility on 20 December with former Wales and British & Irish Lions rugby player Richard Hibbard. A lorry featuring the Christmas-themed wrap was driven by ‘Santa’, who gave out special gifts to the staff and patients, including selection packs, mince pies and fruit hampers.

Tŷ Llidiard is an adolescent mental health unit based at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, providing inpatient care for young people with severe mental illness.

Matt Lewis, Managing Director at Castell Howell, said: “We wanted to spread a little festive cheer to the wonderful people at Tŷ Llidiard.

“Tŷ Llidiard provides invaluable support to young people. The fantastic team there make a huge difference to the daily lives of the young people they support by creating a calm, compassionate and confident culture. Giving back to the community and charities across Wales is something we do throughout the year and this special visit is a great example of our commitment to helping the communities we operate in.”

Richard Hibbard said: ‘’Mental health affects people from all walks of life and across multiple age groups, so when I heard what Castell Howell were planning, I really wanted to get involved. Meeting everyone at Ty Llidiard and hearing their different stories really put into perspective the importance of supporting those in our communities.’’

Lloyd Griffiths, Head of Mental Health Nursing at Tŷ Llidiard said: “Castell Howell have been key suppliers for a number of years. The importance of a balanced diet that is tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient is key in the support of positive mental health. Meal times are an important part of maintaining routine and social interaction and we work with Castell Howell to make sure our menu is varied and appealing. When we heard about their Christmas lorries and the surprise visits they offer, we thought it’d be a fabulous idea to surprise our patients and staff ahead of the big day.

“At Tŷ Llidiard, we’re committed to really making a difference to everyone’s daily lives through supporting patients and their families through the challenges they’re facing. In doing this, we also ensure the care is extended to our fantastic staff and this special Christmas visit is very much a collaborative approach to bring the festive fun to TŷLlidiard’’

The visit to Tŷ Llidiard comes as part of Castell Howell’s wider festivities, which have seen the Welsh wholesaler delivering festive cheer with two lorries featuring a Christmas-themed wrap, which form part of the main fleet delivering across Wales and the Southwest of England.

The festive themed additions have made deliveries to approximately 1,200 schools as well as featuring at community Christmas fayres and carnivals with the driver dressed as Santa giving out special gifts along the way. More than 2,000 gifts are given each year, including fruit hampers, selection packs, activity packs and Welsh food hampers.