ABMU Health Board, now Swansea Bay HB worked in partnership with Swansea and Aberystwyth Universities and Swansea Museum to present this Heritage Lottery funded Project; Sharing Heritage, granted in June 2017.

This project captured the hidden stories from behind closed doors, previously unspoken within society, and celebrated the working life of the people and patients who lived there. 

The multimedia exhibition which opened to the Public in January 2019 presented: Photography, creating a visual response by both the public and professionals; Oral histories, hearing the voices and stories; Artefacts, giving you contact with the past and Poetry, both historical and local responses. The star of the show was the commissioned 3D interactive computer model and a 3D printout of the building. 

Importantly, patients were involved in creating new print work from artefact handling workshops. A cinematic exploration of the building lead you through oral histories and interpretation panels, drawing from The West Glamorgan Archives and previously un-researched Health Board documents. Retired and current staff told the story of the rise and fall of the Asylum.

All of this, which would have been lost in time, is now captured to create a legacy for future generations; recording the last days of Cefn Coed Hospital, an Icon of the Swansea landscape. 

The poster commisioned for our exhibition attracted many favorable comments and requests for a copy of their own. We have a high-resolution, printable version here for anyone who wishes to print it out for themselves.

This exhibition was made possible through the contribution of many individuals, organisations and institutions. It is a testament to Cefn Coed Hospital that ABMU Heritage Team received such an enthusiastic response. Over 100 people came forward to volunteer their time, contributing their expertise, materials and memories to create an enduring legacy for Cefn Coed.

To the Heritage Lottery Fund and all our partners, for everything you have done to help make this exhibition possible and for becoming part of its legacy,

Thank You

Credits:

Martin Thomas

Rebecca Kelly

Prue Thimbleby

Hal Thimbleby

Fiona Edwards

Heather Parnell

Karl Morgan

Emma Williams

Dr Phil Ebden

Wayne Samuel

Mary Gagen

Elizabeth Gagen

Tim Kindberg

Will Bryan

House of Frames

Signs Express