Written by Eleri Bryon, Welsh Language Officer

This year’s Welsh Language and Bilingualism Competition shone a light on personal stories from apprentices who are using Cymraeg to make a difference. From classrooms, to care homes, and offices, apprentices shared how Welsh has improved their confidence and sens of belonging in the workplace.

The competition asked apprentices to reflect on their Welsh language journey. They shared how they started, what they’ve learned, and the difference it’s made day-to-day. The result was a collection of thoughtful, heartfelt submissions that showed just how powerful language can be when it’s used with purpose.

🏆 1st Place: Sreelakshmi Das, QCF Level 2 Welsh Language Mandatory Levels

The reason behind the Welsh Language Competition was to discover stories like Sreelakshmi’s. An apprentice whose curiosity and courage allowed her to discover a genuine love for the language. Moving to Wales as a non‑native speaker, she found herself drawn to the sound of Welsh greetings like “Bore da”. This encouraged her to start learning through Duolingo “as a hobby.”

Soon that hobby became something much bigger.

When she began working as a teaching assistant in Welsh‑medium schools, those early phrases helped her connect with teachers, build trust and feel part of the school community. She described the “extra love” she felt when colleagues realised she could speak some Welsh, a reminder of how powerful even small steps can be.

Later, through her Level 2 qualification, she revisited Welsh formally and rediscovered the same enthusiasm she felt at the beginning. Today, she’s actively working towards becoming a fluent speaker, embracing Welsh not just as a skill, but as part of the legacy she wants to carry forward.

🥈 2nd Place: Cedrak Ategeka, NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care

Cedrak’s submission showed how Welsh can transform care. As a Senior Care Practitioner supporting adults living with dementia, he uses Welsh every day to create comfort, clarity and dignity for residents who prefer to communicate in their first language.

He shared practical examples of how Welsh supports person‑centred care:

Daily Welsh greetings like “Bore da” to start the day with familiarity.
Explaining routines in Welsh to reduce confusion and support safety.
Using picture cards with Welsh translations to support communication for individuals with dementia.

Cedrak’s story highlighted something essential: bilingual care isn’t just helpful, it’s a lifeline for many residents.

🥉 3rd Place – Elan Morris, CILEX Level 3

Elan’s story is a beautiful reminder that even fluent speakers sometimes need a nudge to bring Welsh into their working lives. Despite having a Master’s degree in Welsh, she hadn’t used the language much at work until completing the Prentis Iaith module.

That module changed everything.

She swapped her standard lanyard for a Welsh‑speaker one, a small gesture that opened the door to more conversations, more confidence, and more visibility. She began actively using Welsh with colleagues, letting people know they could speak to her in the language she loves.

Elan described how these small steps made her feel more connected to her workplace and her identity. Her apprenticeship reminded her that using Welsh doesn’t have to be a big, daunting leap. Sometimes it’s as simple as starting a conversation.

A Celebration of Cymraeg in Everyday Life

Across all three stories, one thing stood out clearly: Welsh isn’t just being learned, it’s being lived. Apprentices are using Cymraeg to build relationships, strengthen identity and make their workplaces more welcoming and more human.

As Welsh Language Officer, I was very moved reading these submissions. Seeing apprentices speak so passionately about Cymraeg and use it confidently in their roles gives me real hope for a Cymraeg future.