The Welsh Government has launched a £400,000 fund to support the use of Welsh within small businesses.
Welsh language minister Alun Davies has launched a £400,000 fund aimed at helping SMEs become more bilingual. The objective of the fund is to increase visibility of the Welsh language in the community. The project will also increase understanding and maximise opportunities to strengthen bilingual customer services. The money will be allocated to establish a network of local practitioners to provide Welsh language support to businesses.
This initiative comes in the wake of a series of workshops organised by Antur Teifi in 2015 on behalf of Business Wales entitled “Understanding the benefits of using the Welsh language in business”. Prepared specifically for Teifi Valley businesses by a Teifi Valley business that is one of Europe’s leaders in the rapidly expanding language consultancy market, Iaith Cyf the seminars provided attendees with the tools to get maximum benefit from this advantage which included:
- communicating with customers
- strengthening the USP (unique selling point)
- promoting customer loyalty
- providing opportunities to sell in new markets
- indicating respect and understanding of the culture of the area
- demonstrating commitment to equality
Held in the four main towns of the Teifi Valley – Cardigan, Lampeter and Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul – the sessions led to a better understanding of the creative and proactive dynamic which is prevalent within the Teifi Valley’s predominantly Welsh-speaking communities which in turn led to an awakening and/or a strengthening within all who attended of a desire to play their part within the dynamic.
Ruby Rose is a gift shop in Lampeter owned by Kate McDermott. Attending the seminar proved an eye-opener for Kate.
“I certainly found the seminar inspiring and informative. I have already had a friend translate one side of a new sign that I am halfway through painting for the top of the alleyway and last night I downloaded a Welsh learning app from Bangor University to get the ball rolling with my own Welsh journey so there has definitely been an impact already”.
LLUN: Kate McDermott
