North Wales care home pays staff to learn Welsh

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 06:20 · Archive

A care home in Pentrefoelas is paying staff to learn Welsh through a Bangor University scheme for social care workers.

Cartref Bryn yr Eglwys, a care home in Pentrefoelas, North Wales, is paying its staff to attend weekly Welsh language classes through a Bangor University scheme designed for social care workers. The two-hour lessons take place on Friday afternoons, and owner Meryl Welsby is funding staff time for the eight-week course.

The home has 28 staff members but only five are first-language Welsh speakers. Staff come from around a dozen countries including Nepal, India, the Philippines, Romania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Poland, England and Scotland. About 90 per cent of the home's 30 residents are native Welsh speakers, many of whom find it easier to communicate in Welsh, particularly when unwell or experiencing memory loss.

Meryl Welsby said the investment is vital to help staff communicate more effectively with residents. 'I have already seen an improvement in their Welsh,' she said. 'I hear them greet people at the front door in Welsh now, which is really lovely, and they are answering the phone in Welsh, which is a big, big step.' The care home is one of the first to take part in the Bangor University-led initiative tailored for social care workers.

How it is being reported

• North Wales care home paying staff to learn Welsh to better support residentsA care home is paying staff to learn Welsh to better support residents in their first language.North Wales Chronicle · 20 Oct, 05:00
• North Wales care home pays staff to learn Welsh on their days offCarers at Cartref Bryn yr Eglwys in Pentrefoelas are heading back to the classroom for weekly lessonsNorth Wales Live · 20 Oct, 03:46

In this story: Cartref Bryn yr Eglwys · Pentrefoelas · North Wales · Bangor University · Meryl Welsby · Mair Rees

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem