The College in Wales is delighted to be working with the National Centre for Learning Welsh to offer free Welsh language courses to our members.
Established in 2016, the National Centre supports learners to have easy access to a variety of courses and flexible support, including as a key part of their day-to-day work through the ‘Work Welsh/Cymraeg Gwaith’ programme.
A tutor has recently been appointed in all Local Health Boards to support the workforce to provide a service to patients through the medium of Welsh.
Courses cater for people of all abilities, from the complete beginner to the more advanced. Support is also available to those who already have Welsh language skills but lack the confidence to use them at work.
This is an excellent opportunity through which to enrich your professional development and positively impact patients’ lives.
Register your interest in accessing tuition (estimated completion time: 2 minutes).
Learn Welsh in the workplace
The Welsh language – ‘Cymraeg’ – belongs to everyone.
When people experience ill-health, it is vital that they’re able to access care and support in the language that best meets their needs. This includes access to health services through the medium of Welsh.
RCPsych Wales is delighted to offer free courses for members wishing to learn Welsh or develop their Welsh language skills through the National Centre for Learning Welsh. A range of courses is available for all abilities.
Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity to enrich your professional development and positively impact patients’ lives.
‘More Than Just Words’ strategy
‘More Than Just Words / Mwy Na Geiriau’ is the Welsh Government's strategic framework for promoting the Welsh language in health and social care.
First introduced in 2012, the framework is currently being implemented via a five year action plan covering 2022-27. It is complementary to the Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 strategy, which envisions a million Welsh speakers by 2050.
At the core of the ‘More Than Just Words/Mwy Na Geiriau’ is the principle of the Active Offer. This principle requires health and social care providers to offer services in Welsh proactively, rather than placing the burden on patients or service users to request them.
Making a positive difference
Research shows that, for many Welsh speakers, being able to access services in Welsh significantly improved their overall experience and, in many cases, improved their health and wellbeing outcomes. It also showed people often found it difficult to access services in Welsh and were reluctant to ask when Welsh language services were not offered.
All healthcare workers have the potential to make a positive difference, therefore, by asking themselves: "What can I do to help improve Welsh language provision?" For some, this will mean embarking on the journey of learning Welsh. For others, it will mean making small but equally impactful changes.
Knowing how to say a few words in Welsh – ‘dipyn bach yn y Gymraeg’ – can be extremely helpful – whether it's words of comfort, encouragement, or even offering a 'paned.' The number of Welsh words you know doesn't matter; what matters is using them. Even if you don't speak Welsh, simply understanding the needs of Welsh speakers can be very beneficial.
For further information, please contact:
- Email: wales@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Twitter: RCPsychWales