For more than a decade Latch has been providing holidays for families at our holiday caravans along the South Wales coast. Our holiday caravans have been more than just places to stay. They have been a getaway where families affected by childhood cancer could pause and simply be together. They have been spaces filled with laughter, after countless hospital appointments, and precious memories that families carry with them long after the holiday ends.
As we look ahead to the future, we want to share an important update with our families and supporters. Latch will soon be closing its current caravan holiday offering. While this marks the end of a much-loved chapter, it is not the end of Latch’s holidays.
We will shortly be announcing a new way of providing free holidays to families, one that reflects our continued commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and ongoing focus on a quality experience for families. Before we do that, it feels right to pause and honour the incredible history behind our caravans and the people who made them possible.
A History Built on Love and Community
The provision of holiday caravans has long been a fundamental part of Latch’s support for families and dates back to the early 1980s. These breaks offer respite from the relentless pressures of treatment, hospital visits, and uncertainty, helping families maintain a sense of normality during incredibly challenging times.
At the heart of this story are extraordinary acts of generosity from families and communities who wanted to ensure that others could experience moments of joy, even in the darkest circumstances.
This enduring legacy has been led in most recent times by Emyr’s and Chloe’s families, their friends and local communities in South and West Wales.
The impact was so profound that, in 2016, the Emyr Owen Branch fundraised further to purchase a second caravan and continued to generously contribute to the upkeep of both Porthcawl caravans. Their dedication ensured that, year after year, families were offered the chance to access a free holiday to rest and reconnect at a time when finances, energy, and emotional reserves were often stretched to the limit.
Together, the legacies of Emyr and Chloe form the foundation of Latch’s free holiday provision. Their names are now woven into the fabric of our history, and their impact will be forever remembered by the hundreds of families over the years who found comfort and made memories in these caravans.
Why Things Are Changing
While holidays remain a vital part of family wellbeing, it is essential that the way we provide them meets today’s needs. As part of our 2025 to 2027 strategic planning, we have undertaken a thorough review of our caravans’ provision.
The reality is that our existing caravans are ageing and increasingly require frequent improvements. They are now reaching the end of their lifespan and would soon require replacement to maintain the high standards families deserve.
Replacing all caravans would require a significant investment, alongside ongoing costs for maintenance, insurance, and site fees. At the same time, the operational challenges of managing caravans from the central office in Cardiff, without the level of local volunteer support that once existed, have increased risk and reduced efficiency.
Put simply, while the purpose of holidays remains as relevant as ever, to support wellbeing and create memories, the current model is no longer the best way for the charity to deliver this support.
Looking Ahead with Hope
What will not change is our commitment to offering families free holidays for respite and meaningful experiences away from the clinical environment.
Latch will soon announce a new holiday offering that will provide modern, high-quality, and accessible accommodation, reduce operational burden and costs for the charity, and reach more families in a flexible and sustainable way. This approach ensures that Latch holidays remain impactful, inclusive, and aligned with our long-term vision.
As we close the chapter on our caravan holidays, we do so with immense gratitude. To Emyr, Chloe, their families, and every supporter who fundraised, volunteered, and cared; you created something extraordinary. Your legacy lives on, not just in caravans by the sea, but in the countless family memories made possible because of your kindness.
We look forward to sharing the next chapter with you very soon.
