Supporting children with disabilities and/or developmental difficulties across Gwent, Abergavenny’s Nevill Hall Children’s Centre celebrates its 30th anniversary this month. Founded by Consultant Paediatrician Dr Tom Williams seeing a need in the community, the centre was opened in grand ceremony in 1992 by HRH Princess Anne.

Previously managed by the Umbrella Appeal charity was later taken over by South Wales Sparkle charity in 2019. Continuing Umbrella’s incredible work to date in providing care for children across the region, with the Nevill Hall Centre joining Sparkles Newport facility Serennu in Newport and projects at Caerphilly Children’s Centre. Neville Hall provides a holistic approach to improving the lives of children aged 0-18 with complex disabilities, providing both medical support as well as leisure services across Gwent that have supported the Sparkle charity in its mission of #HelpingSpecialChildrenShine.

Celebrating the occasion at one of the centre’s regular coffee morning support groups ahead of this weekends anniversary Sparkle families were joined by several departments from the centre, enjoying a bespoke cake and gifts kindly donated by local businesses including ASDA, Morrison’s, Little Barn cakes and Bailey’s Garage.

Sparkle Family Liaison officer Sarah Painter-Sims noted how Nevill Hall has been such an integral part of the local community. “I have the pleasure of working with an amazing team of staff at Nevill hall that go above and beyond every day to support the families that attend the centre. Some of our staff have been here since the opening, while some were children themselves who attended HRH Princess Anne opening the centre”

One of the families in attendance who use the Children’s centre commented “Sarah is such a great support, I look forward to attending coffee mornings to catch up with her and other parents.”

While, Children’s Centre improvement and development manager Donna Colwill added “it is a pleasure to be celebrating the anniversary of the opening of Nevill Hall. 30 years later and the centre continues to grow from strength to strength. The centre is family focused with a very friendly team who are passionate about delivering high quality services to our children, young people and families.”

Find out more about our services at Nevill Hall at www.SparkleAppeal.org/Nevill-Hall