At Latch, we’re here for childhood cancer in Wales. We understand how overwhelming a diagnosis can be, not just for children, but for the whole family.
That’s why we provide emotional, practical, and financial support every step of the way. Whether you need a place to stay, help with costs, or simply someone to listen, we’re here when you need us most.
A cancer diagnosis changes everything. Our dedicated Latch Social Workers, based at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, provide a safe space for families to talk, share worries, and feel heard. They help you to navigate difficult conversations, access services, and connect with other families. From hospital activities to community events, we’re here to reduce isolation and support children, siblings, and parents alike. We are here for childhood cancer in Wales, helping families feel supported every step of the way.
Sadly, childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease among children and young people in the UK. Our Social Workers provide sensitive palliative and bereavement support for parents, siblings, and extended family during the first thirteen months after a loss, ensuring no one grieves in isolation. We remain here for childhood cancer in Wales, standing by families in your hardest moments.
Here, Helen shares more about her 10 years as a Latch Social Worker and the impact the role has on families.
Why did you want to work for Latch?
I became a social work assistant in child protection at a Cardiff local authority 25 years ago. I did my social work degree whilst working there, qualifying 7 years later. I also worked in the looked after children's team. I could see that I made a difference in children’s lives but there was a lot of firefighting in the role.
I applied for the role at Latch as I wanted to do what I call ‘proper social work’, which I think is helping people at a time of need.
I absolutely love what I do at Latch. We’re not medics, we can't cure cancer. But as Latch Social Workers, we can be there to say: ‘Actually, this is really rubbish, but I can help you in these ways.’
What’s your day-to-day role as a Latch Social Worker?
I support families in whatever way they need.
I work a four-day week and try to come into the hospital for at least two to see families on the wards. The other two days are for home visits to families and paperwork.
In the hospital, you can be doing anything from making tea and listening to families to appealing parking fines, or meeting with the medical team. Or, if the cleaners have gone home and a family needs one of our rooms, you might clean it for them.
We do joint work with the psychology team which I love. We go to the psychologist team for advice and refer families to them if we need to.
Can you talk a bit about how you support children who are having palliative treatment and bereaved families?
We do joint work with Kid’s Cancer Charity play therapists. The play therapist will be with the child, including siblings, and I'll be with the parents. Children have a lovely time playing and families can talk freely.
At Latch, we organise sessions for bereaved siblings. I went to one yesterday and introduced a parent as “the mum of their child who had died”. The mum told me after: “When I'm with Latch, I'm still my son’s mum, whereas everybody else forgets I'm his mum.” Talking with other families whose children have also died keeps their memory alive and gives them so much peace, which is amazing.
How has your role changed in the last 10 years?
It feels surreal that it is 10 years since I started Latch. When I first started, there were two other social work staff, one of which was an agency social worker. So it was a smaller team. But it's basically the same role. I have 34 children on my caseload and I may have around 20 who I am doing things for every day.
I have grown in confidence in the role. I can pass on the knowledge I have gained in working with other families and knowing what has helped them.
What challenges have there been in the role over the last 10 years?
During the Covid pandemic, it was hard trying to support bereaved families on the phone and help them organise their children's funerals. But for a lot of our families, Covid made them feel normal. Their child couldn’t go to school anyway, so they didn’t feel as isolated. Since the pandemic, we've been dealing with a lot more child protection, mental health and financial issues.
What have you learned in your 10 years as a Latch Social Worker?
That I can’t fix things for families, although I want to. But I can be there for them.
I have more confidence in advocating for families in the weekly medical team meetings now. I think this role has made me a more well-rounded social worker and a better person. It has shown me a massive aspect of life that I have never seen before. And I have worked with some really tricky things in the past, including children dying from suicide and different child protection issues with families.
What impact do you see Latch having on families’ lives?
Having a child that is unwell and in hospital can be very difficult for the whole family. Usually there is little support for families. My friend's son was in hospital for 10 months, and they had nothing. I see what support our families have in comparison, financially, emotionally and practically. Cancer is harrowing for families. Latch makes an awful journey a little bit more bearable.
Can families be cautious of the Social Worker job title?
Yes, sometimes, but once families realise what we do, and talk to others who’ve been supported by Latch, they feel more comfortable.
How has working for Latch had an impact on your life?
My son is an Ambassador for Latch. He came to different Latch events with me and wanted to help. When I first started, at Christmas, he brought chocolate lollipops for all the children on the ward. He’s also helped at marathons and other events. It's good for us all to give back to society.
Working at Latch has made me realise how lucky I am. What families go through has a devastating impact on them all. It’s life changing for them all too.
What self-care strategies do you have to support you in the role?
It can be hard sitting with families in distress because you can feel their stress. Working with the psychologists has helped me to manage this.
I like to read the thank you cards that families send me. I bake, which is a stress relief, and I have an amazing dog who I take for walks.
What are your hopes for the future with Latch?
I would like to do some counselling training, which I think would complement the work. I’d like to see Latch continue to make some of this journey a bit easier for families, whether that’s with developing research or campaigning to make it simpler to get Disability Living Allowance.
