Background

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If your organisation receives public money and agrees to provide services on behalf of public bodies such as Local Councils and Health Trusts, you must meet the requirements of the Welsh Language Act 1993 which also includes complying with Welsh Language Schemes..

Welsh Language Act 1993 and the Voluntary Sector

The Welsh Language Act 1993 established the principle that the English and Welsh languages should be treated on a basis of equality in the conduct of public business and the administration of justice in Wales.

The Act places a statutory duty on public bodies to publish a Welsh Language Scheme. The purpose of a Language Scheme is to outline the way in which a body or establishment will put into practice the principle that the Welsh and English languages are equal. It is the Welsh Language Scheme that describes the means by which the organisation will provide bilingual services for the public, and it must also publish an implementation timetable for developing the provision.

Every Language Scheme includes a clause about third party organisations and a clear expectation that organisations contracted to provide services on behalf of a public body must also comply with the principle of equality.

An increasing number of voluntary organisations nowadays are undertaking contract work for public bodies, particularly Local Authorities and Health Trusts, and they need to ensure therefore that they treat the Welsh and English languages equally.

Additionally, an increasing number of funding schemes such as Objective 1 require evidence of plans to operate bilingually and evidence of consideration being given to the needs of Welsh speakers and Welsh communities.

Guidelines are available on how to prepare Language Schemes, and Estyn Llaw can help you consider the steps which need to be taken to produce a Language Scheme or Policy.

Many voluntary organisations now have Welsh Language Schemes or Policies in place, and these provide enormous support for organisations in respect of taking specific strategic steps towards developing bilingualism. A Welsh Language Scheme or Policy usually includes the following headings:

It is possible to access a copy of the text of the Welsh Language Act 1993 on the following website: www.cymruarywe.org.uk by following the links which relate to the Welsh language and bilingualism.

It is possible to obtain further information and guidelines about Welsh Language Schemes on the website of the Welsh Language Board: www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk

If your organisation would like to prepare a Welsh Language Scheme or Policy, please contact Estyn Llaw for advice..

The Welsh Language – Iaith Pawb

The Welsh Assembly Government has stated clearly that bilingualism is beneficial for Wales and that the use of Welsh needs to be increased in every aspect of life in Wales.

Iaith Pawb is the document which outlines the National Assembly for Wales’ national strategy for developing bilingualism. It includes a clear expectation, namely that the public will have the right to choose services and activities of all kinds in either Welsh or English. The document’s specific message for voluntary organisations is as follows:

“ We will strongly encourage them (voluntary organisations and bodies) to take it upon themselves to develop and provide bilingual services”

Iaith Pawb 2003

It is possible to download a copy of Iaith Pawb from the website of the National Assembly for Wales: www.wales.gov.uk

Wales Council for Voluntary Action and the Welsh Language

The Wales Council for Voluntary Action states clearly the reasons why voluntary organisations and bodies need to develop their bilingualism. Graham Benfield, WCVA Chief Executive states:

“It is important that voluntary organisations are able to work bilingually in order to be able to provide a better service for their Welsh-speaking members and also to acknowledge the bilingual nature of Wales. Additionally, adopting bilingualism offers a number of other benefits, for example it provides a means of raising the Welsh profile of an organisation and a means of attracting Welsh volunteers.”

WCVA has published specific guidelines - “As good as our words” - which contain practical advice for voluntary organisations on the steps which could be taken to increase bilingualism. Graham Benfield emphasises:

“The WCVA, as the sector’s umbrella organisation, as well as specialist projects such as Estyn Llaw have a role to play in encouraging voluntary organisations to become more confident in making more extensive use of the language in their day-to-day work.”

For further information and an opportunity to order a copy of “As good as our words”, please visit the WCVA website www.cggc.org.uk.

The Welsh Language as one of the Equalities

Ensuring equality between the use of Welsh and English is considered generally to be an integral part of the promotion of fairness in our society. The Welsh language is among the core equalities included in the Equality Standard published recently for Local Government. A copy of the Standard is available by contacting the Welsh Local Government Association via its website: www.wlga.gov.uk