Marie Curie's hospice serving Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan is celebrating its 65th birthday.
Nearly 65,000 people with a terminal illness have been supported by the Penarth hospice, which first opened in 1959.
This week, charity staff and volunteers based at Bridgeman Road marked the occasion with a tea party, alongside actress and ambassador Suzanne Packer.
It's been an eventful five years for the hospice, which opened a new café in 2019 and welcomed a visit from the future King Charles III as patron of the charity, just weeks before the start of the Covid pandemic.
Suzanne said: "It’s always a pleasure to visit the hospice and chat to the staff about the work they do and the importance of it to those they care for, and their families and loved ones."
"Sharing the 65th celebration with the team – complete with a perfect cuppa – was a pleasure, and I’m delighted to be able to support such a wonderful charity."
Today, the hospice cares for patients in 20 inpatient beds through a community care-at-hoome service, a specialist team offering palliative care and the Wellbeing and Support Hub, which was refurbished in 2016, and offers a safe space aimed at easing loneliness and isolation.
Other changes to the Penarth hospice in the past decade have included the installation of a spa bathroom on both inpatient units.
Rachel Jones, Marie Curie's associate director for strategic partnerships and service delivery, said: "We are so grateful to all the staff and volunteers who have made it possible for us to continue caring for people in the local community living with an illness they are likely to die from, and their families, over the last 65 years."
"Since our 60th celebrations in 2019, our teams have tackled working through the pandemic, supporting families and their loved ones during an even more difficult time than usual."
"Marie Curie believes everyone should have expert care and support at the end of life, free from unnecessary pain, and have the dignity and respect they deserve, whatever their illness."
"It’s thanks to amazing donations and supporters that Marie Curie can continue to provide the best possible care for anyone living with a terminal illness in our hospice, at home or over the phone. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 65 years has in store for us."
Suzanne said: “It’s always a pleasure to visit the hospice and chat to the staff about the work they do and the importance of it to those they care for, and their families and loved ones.
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