HAHAV (Aberystwyth and District Hospice at Home Volunteers) is a volunteer-led charity based in Ceredigion, Wales, dedicated to supporting people living with incurable or life-limiting illness and those closest to them. Established in 2015 to meet an unmet need for compassionate, community-based care, HAHAV’s services complement statutory palliative care by offering practical, social and emotional support tailored to individual needs.

The charity aims to help people live life to the fullest during the time they have left while also supporting families and carers through the challenges of serious illness. Services begin with personalised companionship and practical help in the home, delivered by trained volunteers who offer respite to carers and meaningful social contact to clients. This can include help with shopping, transport to appointments, dog walking, gardening, basic household tasks or simply being there for conversation and companionship.

In addition to these one-to-one services, HAHAV offers a range of “Living Well” activities and support groups designed to promote social connection, wellbeing and resilience. Clients and their loved ones can participate in creative sessions, gentle activities and therapeutic workshops at the charity’s Living Well Centre at Plas Antaron in Aberystwyth, or access emerging online sessions for broader reach across the rural county.

Bereavement support is also a core component of HAHAV’s work. As people and families adjust to loss, trained volunteers provide compassionate support during grief, helping individuals navigate the practical and emotional challenges that follow the death of a loved one. The charity delivers bereavement care in both Welsh and English to ensure accessibility and cultural sensitivity.

Volunteers remain at the heart of HAHAV’s mission, forming the backbone of its services and community presence. The charity’s model emphasises dignity, choice and human connection, ensuring people affected by serious illness receive consistent, compassionate support in familiar environments. Through its comprehensive blend of practical help, wellbeing activities and emotional support, HAHAV plays a vital role in enhancing quality of life for individuals and families across Ceredigion