Health and Social Care workers across Wales are increasing their
confidence to use the Welsh language with patients and
colleagues, thanks to a Welsh Government programme to strengthen
language choice within the health service.
Between 2023 and 2025, around 1,500 staff enrolled on the cyrsiau
Codi Hyder (Confidence-building courses), with around 6,000
workers taking part in the wider Learn Welsh programme for the
Health and Social care sector. The Confidence-building courses
are led by the National Centre for Learning Welsh, which is
funded by the Welsh Government, in partnership with health
boards, supporting staff who can speak some Welsh but feel unsure
about using the language in a clinical context. Those who follow
the course receive one-to-one or small group training over 10 to
12 weeks, and then receive ongoing support to help them use the
Welsh language naturally in their day to day work.
The National Centre's evaluation shows that the
Confidence-building courses in 2024-2025 had a positive impact,
with over 90% saying they had more confidence to speak Welsh with
colleagues, and 88% feeling more confident to use Welsh with
patients and their families.
One of the employees who has benefited from the course is
Julie Matthias, Bereavement Counsellor
with Hywel Dda University Health Board. She felt
comfortable speaking Welsh with children before taking the
course, but less confident to use the language with adults. She
wanted to offer more counselling sessions in Welsh and use the
language more proactively at work. With her tutor, they practised
conversations related to her work and read Welsh resources about
grief and bereavement. She now starts conversations in Welsh with
colleagues and offers a Welsh language service to children,
families and anyone who wishes to use it.
She said: "The sessions were flexible and tailored to my needs.
Being able to focus on the vocabulary of grief, bereavement and
self-care has been very helpful in my work."
, Cabinet Secretary for
Finance and the Welsh Language, said: "Julie's
experience shows how practical support can make a real
difference. Being able to speak to patients and families in the
language they feel most comfortable using is an important part of
delivering good care, especially when people are vulnerable.
"As we mark the Defnyddia dy Gymraeg (Use your Welsh) campaign
and celebrate 20 years of the Iaith Gwaith (Working Welsh) badge
this week, it's encouraging to see so many people taking part in
the courses and seeing their confidence levels rise."
Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning
Welsh, Dona Lewis, added: “The National Centre is
pleased to lead a comprehensive Learn Welsh programme which is
attracting different audiences to the Welsh language, and
supporting Health and Social Care workers in Wales to use more of
the language.
“Interest in our courses is high, and we look forward to
continuing to expand our services in order to support the
workforce to strengthen its bilingual skills.”
Notes to editors
