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.”

Mark Drakeford, 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.”

A PEMBROKESHIRE school, which has become a fully Welsh medium one, is to change its name following the backing of senior councillors.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, at their November 3 meeting were asked to support a revised Instrument of Government for Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch.

The instrument of government sets out how the governing body is constituted and establishes it as a corporate body; it must set out the name of the school along with the composition of the governing body.

A report for members, presented by Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “Since 2007, primary and secondary schools have been categorised using the defining schools according to Welsh medium provision, non-statutory guidance.

“The school was categorised as a transitional school, which is, predominantly English-medium schools but with significant use of Welsh Foundation phase pupils and Key Stage 2 pupils are taught in both languages, but more emphasis is given to the English language. The Welsh language is used to teach between 20-50 per cent of the curriculum generally.

“In the previous Welsh in Education Strategic Plan for the Council 2016-2021 the school was identified to become a Welsh medium school.”

It said, over a transition of seven years, the school now functions as a fully Welsh Medium School, adding: “All staff at the school are Welsh speakers so there have been no human resources implications from the report. Children are now taught in the medium of Welsh.

“Following the change in language categorisation of Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch from a ‘transitional school’ to a ‘Welsh Medium’ school in September 2025, the governing body, following consultation with the school community and its governing body wish to change its name from Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch to Ysgol Gymraeg Croesgoch.”

It finished: “Cabinet approval is required for the name change of the school Conclusions It is considered that the governing body’s proposal is sensible and reflects the language that learners are taught at the school.”

After the recommendation was moved by Cllr Woodham, members unanimously backed approval of the revised Instrument of Government.

SCHOOLS in Wales will be required to deliver at least 10% of their teaching in Welsh by 2030 as part of a decade-long plan to implement “landmark” legislation.

Mark Drakeford outlined the Welsh Government’s plan for a phased rollout of the Welsh Language and Education Act which aims to give every child “a fair chance to speak Welsh”.

Under the Act, three school categories will be created – primarily English, partly Welsh; dual language; and primarily Welsh – with targets for each for a minimum of Welsh education.

The ex-First Minister, who is responsible for the language, said all schools should be given a category and provide at least 10%, 50% or 80% of teaching in Welsh by September 2030.

Prof Drakeford told the Senedd he expects “relatively few” schools to need extra time to reach the 10% minimum target, with an extension available until 2036 at the latest.

He said the next step will be to develop a code to describe levels of Welsh language ability based on the common European framework of reference for languages or CEFR.

The Welsh language secretary said this year will also see a review of the trajectory toward reaching a million Welsh speakers and doubling daily use of the language by 2050.

Prof Drakeford explained a target of 50% of learners in Welsh-medium education by 2050 would form part of a consultation on a revised “Cymraeg 2050” strategy in 2026.

In a statement on Tuesday (October 21), he said the National Institute for Learning Welsh, or Athrofa, would be established by August 2027 to support learners of all ages.

The Athrofa will have responsibility for research and helping the education workforce, taking over and expanding on the work of the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

The Conservatives’ Tom Giffard welcomed a detailed timeline for implementation of the Act but expressed disappointment about the lack of an education workforce plan in place.

He said Lynne Neagle, Wales’ education secretary, announced a strategic plan in a written statement at the start of the school year which contained little detail on Welsh teaching.

Prof Drakeford said the Athrofa will build on the success of the National Centre for Learning Welsh which received £4.8m this year and has now trained more than 2,000 practitioners.

Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell echoed concerns about staff shortages as he called for a national plan setting out the next steps to recruit, train and retain teachers.

Mr Campbell, who was involved in developing the then-bill as part of the since-collapsed cooperation deal, said the Act’s success will depend on targets, staffing, and equal access.

He was concerned about some schools being given an extra six years to hit the 10% target.

The former lecturer said: “In Plaid Cymru’s view, that should be a far shorter period because it will give too many schools an excuse not to commit to delivering that target.”

His party colleague Heledd Fychan warned: “It means that a child could be born now, depending on their postcode, who may not see any difference whatsoever, having seen this legislation passed, until they leave primary school.”

Prof Drakeford said including an extension was a response to concerns raised by schools in south-east Wales about a lack of Welsh speaking staff and time for implementation.

“I don’t want to see more schools than necessary having more time,” he told the Senedd, but added it was important to give schools confidence to “come along on this journey with us”.

The former first minister concluded:  “The impact of the Act goes far beyond education: it is about culture, identity and community, it is about making the language part of everyday life.”