Parents of Alfie Smith locked in battle with Hedyn

South Wales Argus

23-06-2025

The parents of Alfie Smith, from Llanmartin, are fighting for a series of home adaptations, such as a bath, for when he returns home after a number of lengthy operations.
The Newport family still face anguish and uncertainty ahead of little Alfie Smith's recuperation from cancer treatment, as his basic needs are still not met.
Housing association Hedyn say they are aware of the family's needs and aim to carrying out the necessary repairs to the home. Last week they did attend to fix the ceiling in Alfie's bedroom.
However, his parents say the housing association has its list of priorities all wrong.
Speaking to the Argus, dad, Mike Smith, explained: 'They turned up today and said they were coming to fix Alfie's ceiling. I said, 'you're not!' You must do the bathroom first! The ceiling job is a lower priority and can't be done when Alfie is in the house.'
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Hedyn, who look after Newport's public housing stock, has been in the firing line for housing six-year-old Alfie in a house that fails to meet his basic needs. As the Argus previously reported, Alfie requires daily bathing and his house only has an upstairs walk-in shower. We have also reported multiple other issues that need addressing.
Additionally, Alfie's treatment will see a bone removed from his leg, causing him mobility issues in accessing an upstairs bathroom, during his recovery.
Alfie faces weeks away when he undergoes marathon surgery to treat his condition, Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer that usually occurs in childhood. Alfie would be recovering in hospital for weeks following the treatment, which gives Hedyn plenty of time to do other vital repairs, his parents say.
Alfie is asthmatic and immuno-suppressed because of his treatment. Medical advice has it that he needs daily access to a bath and a bathroom that has adequate drainage and ventilation. Access and bathroom installation are priorities, according to his parents. Other necessities, must wait.
The lesser priority ceiling repairs are needed because of a roof leak caused by a broken tile that knocked out the electric light in Alfie's Arsenal-themed bedroom, which is 'his sanctuary,' and the place he will want to come back to for recuperation, according to mum Jess.
The parents point out that Alfie cannot be in the house when the ceiling is knocked out and replaced. His conditions would be made worse by 70 years of attic dust, noise and disruption.
He would also be without a bedroom in the two-bedroom house. This would see the family of four, with a six-year-old cancer patient, all crammed into one bedroom.
The Argus has approached Hedyn for a comment.